The space of change: charting the peculiarity of Japanese houses

O House by Hideyuki Nakayama
O House by Hideyuki Nakayama Architecture.
(Image credit: Jérémie Souteyrat)

The Japanese housing market is a peculiar phenomenon. Unlike homes in Western nations, Japanese residences depreciate rapidly in value over time. As argued by economists Richard Koo and Masaya Sasaki in a 2008 report, a typical home loses all economic value within 15 years of being built. Houses, too, have a limited physical lifespan – an estimated average of twenty years for wooden buildings, and thirty for concrete structures.

It’s a cultural anomaly that makes a new exhibition opening today at Amsterdam gallery Looiersgracht 60 all the more thought provoking. Co-curated by architects Véronique Hours, Fabien Mauduit, Manuel Tardits and photographer Jérémie Souteyrat, ‘Japan, Archipelago of the House’ charts 70 Japanese homes – all built exclusively by Japanese architects – from 1933 up until 2013.

The show frames Japan’s residential landscape in three chapters. ‘Yesterday’s Houses’ comprises a small but perfectly formed collection of residences built between 1933 and 1984, featuring dwellings by the likes of Tadao Ando and Toyo Ito.

Tokyo homes, meanwhile, are spotlighted care of Souteyrat’s memorable ‘portraits’ of the Japanese capital’s most striking examples of residential architecture – and perhaps its most transient. From earthquakes to unusual building regulations, a number of economic, cultural and geographical factors have all contributed to the city’s fluid architectural make-up.

Finally, ‘Today’s Houses’ examines more recent homes built over two decades from 1993–2013, comprising case studies by Shigeru Ban Architects, Yasushi Horibe, Atelier Bow-Wow and Mikan. Interviews with the homes’ inhabitants explore notions of extreme functionality and economy of space, and are further supplemented by drawings, maps, photographs and films from the architects.

The exhibition’s minimalistic design reflects the ‘simplicity of Japanese design’, having been especially conceived for portability. The lightweight display system is made entirely of poplar plywood – a commonly used material in Japanese houses — and based on the measurement of traditional Japanese tatami. Having previously been exhibited at the Design Museum Gent, the show will have a homecoming of sorts as it travels to Japan.

Japan’s disposable home culture may seem wasteful – certainly, it has placed stress on the economy and environment. Yet is precisely this culture that has fostered Japanese architects to design curious and compelling housing.

See more Japanese residential architecture here

Window House by Yasutaka Yoshimura Architects

The show divides Japan’s residential landscape into three segments. ‘Today’s Houses’ examines more recent homes (pictured, Window House by Yasutaka Yoshimura Architects) built over two decades from 1993–2013.

(Image credit: Jérémie Souteyrat)

Maison Aki-Shima Akishima, Tokyo

Maison Aki-Shima was built in 2004 in Akishima, Tokyo, by architect Taira Nishizawa.

(Image credit: Jérémie Souteyrat)

Park view from the living room of Maison Vista

Park view from the living room of Maison Vista, designed by Shigeru Ban.

(Image credit: Jérémie Souteyrat)

The exhibition’s minimalistic design reflects the simplicity of Japanese design

The exhibition’s minimalistic design reflects the ‘simplicity of Japanese design’, having been especially conceived for portability.

(Image credit: Fabian Landewee)

The lightweight display system is made entirely of poplar plywood

The lightweight display system is made entirely of poplar plywood – a commonly used material in Japanese houses — and based on the measurement of traditional Japanese tatami.

(Image credit: Fabian Landewee)

Narrow housing has becoming increasingly popular, such as with this house

Narrow housing has becoming increasingly popular, such as with this house designed by On Design, due to strict planning regulations.

(Image credit: Jérémie Souteyrat)

The region sees a drastic temperature swing of 60°C between summer and winter

Repository, built in 2012 and conceived by Jun Igarashi Architects, sits on the outskirts of Asahikawa. The region sees a drastic temperature swing of 60°C between summer and winter, and so the house has been designed with this mind, featuring only small openings and plenty of insulation.

(Image credit: Jérémie Souteyrat)

Tokyo homes, meanwhile, are spotlighted care of Souteyrat’s ‘portraits’ of the Japanese capital’s

Tokyo homes, meanwhile, are spotlighted care of Souteyrat’s ‘portraits’ of the Japanese capital’s most striking examples of residential architecture. Pictured, House Tokyo by ALX.

(Image credit: Jérémie Souteyrat)

Laatikko by Workshop Kino

Laatikko by Workshop Kino, Tokyo.

(Image credit: Jérémie Souteyrat)

Delta by Architecton

Delta by Architecton, Tokyo.

(Image credit: Jérémie Souteyrat)

Installation view of Japan, Archipelago of the House

Installation view of 'Japan, Archipelago of the House'.

(Image credit: Fabian Landewee)

The section ‘Yesterday’s Houses’ comprises a small collection of residences

The section ‘Yesterday’s Houses’ comprises a small collection of residences built between 1933 and 1984. Pictured: Mountain Villa in Karuizawa by Junzo Yoshimura, 1962

(Image credit: press)

Maekawa house by Maekawa Kunio was completed in 1942 and built in a space limited to less than 100 sq m

Maekawa house (pictured) by Maekawa Kunio was completed in 1942 and built in a space limited to less than 100 sq m

(Image credit: press)

The exterior is finished as a simple box, allowing the residence to blend in easily with the rest of the surroundings

Kiritoshi House by Sugawaradaisuke. The architects explain, 'The exterior is finished as a simple box, allowing the residence to blend in easily with the rest of the surroundings.'

(Image credit: Jérémie Souteyrat)

The floor of the study is made of wooden slats to allow light from a large window upstairs down through the entire house

In House in Komazawa by Go Hasegawa, the floor of the study is made of wooden slats to allow light from a large window upstairs down through the entire house.

(Image credit: Jérémie Souteyrat)

INFORMATION
‘Japan, Archipelago of the House’ runs until 10 July. For more information, visit the Looiersgracht 60 website

ADDRESS

Looiersgracht 60
1016 VT Amsterdam

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