SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN Research Unit for Modern Architecture Studies in Southeast Asia Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Architecture) ASIAN ARCHITECTURE (ARC60403/ARC2234) THE INFLUENCES OF TRADITIONAL JAPANESE CULTURE AND VERNACULAR JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE ON THE CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE OF NISHINOYAMA HOUSE. Tutor: Mr. Nicholas Ng Group Members: Too Mun Fai 0318214 Lai Yik Xin 0323388 Ng Ke Ning 0323015 Ng Zheng Si 0322585 Tan Sheau Hui 0319235 Tang Ze Zheng 0318967
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SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN
Research Unit for Modern Architecture Studies in Southeast Asia
Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Architecture)
ASIAN ARCHITECTURE (ARC60403/ARC2234)
THE INFLUENCES OF TRADITIONAL JAPANESE CULTURE AND
VERNACULAR JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE ON THE
CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE OF NISHINOYAMA HOUSE.
Tutor: Mr. Nicholas Ng
Group Members:
Too Mun Fai 0318214
Lai Yik Xin 0323388
Ng Ke Ning 0323015
Ng Zheng Si 0322585
Tan Sheau Hui 0319235
Tang Ze Zheng 0318967
iiAsian Architecture-Nishinoyama House
Table of Contents Page
Abstract………………………………………………………………………………iii
1.0 Introduction………………………………………………………………….. 1
2.0 An Overview of Japanese Vernacular Architecture – Kyomachiya………… 2
3.0 Essence of Japanese Culture…………………………………………………. 5
4.0 Features of Nishinoyama House adapting Japanese Culture and Vernacular
Architecture
4.1 Material……………………………………………………………….. 8
4.2 Spatial Organization…………………………………………………... 12
4.3 Circulation…………………………………………………………….. 16
4.4 Structure……………………………………………………………….. 22
5.0 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………29
6.0 References………………………………………………………………………..29
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AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the influences of Japanese culture and
vernacular Japanese architecture (Kyomachiya) on contemporary architecture, Nishinoyama
House.
The selected building, Nishinoyama House is a modern housing unit situated in
Kyoto, the cultural heart of Japan which has a relatively long history from Heian Period to
Meiji Period. Throughout the years, the Japanese community is heavily influenced by its rich
culture and architectural values. Hence, this paper is to discover how Japanese culture and
vernacular architecture influence the design of Nishinoyama House.
In assisting the validation of research, literature reviews based on various sources regarding
Japanese culture and Kyomachiya were conducted to enhance the process. This paper is
written with evidences from reliable internet sources, institutional thesis, and book source.
Certain features are studied specifically from some traditional Kyomachiya examples.
For starters, this paper will study thoroughly on Japanese vernacular architecture in Kyoto,
which is Kyomachiya, followed by the essence of Japanese culture. The research continues
with the influence that Japanese culture and Kyomachiya has on the Nishinoyama House. The
four main features, material, spatial organization, circulation and structure are the reflection
of the influence.
Nishinoyama House utilizes modern materials which has similar properties with
traditional material used in Kyomachiya, yet they are able to meet modern day requirements.
The transparency of doors and windows reflects the close relationship between people and
nature which is one of the
most important elements in Japanese culture. In terms of spatial organization, internal
courtyards are designed similarly to the tsuboniwa in machiya, creating an interactive space
for the users. The circulation of Nishinoyama House provides different levels of privacy
which is similar to Kyomachiya. Lastly, the structure of Nishinoyama House remains
exposed, similar to Kyomachiya, yet the units share internal walls to reflect the Japanese
cultural concept of harmony.
Hence, it has come to a conclusion that Nishinoyama House has been greatly
influenced by the Japanese culture and the Kyomachiya, be it intentionally or unintentionally.
To preserve a city’s character and remain its architectural and cultural values are integral in
developing a contextual contemporary design.
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1.0 IntrodcutionNishinoyama House, a modern approach which simultaneously echoes traditional
vernacular typology, is a ten-unit housing complex in Omiya Nishinoyama, Kyoto. The
Kyoto city government has started to protect and preserve the city’s character by
implementing rule that requires new buildings to have pitched roof. The 21 individually
pitched roofs and the housing units are positioned out of alignments which creating a various
type of small gardens and also alleyway. Internal spaces are fluidly connected and linked by
external circulation routes. The interconnecting spatial layout encourages a positive and
harmony relationship between the neighbourhood and also with the nature.
The influences of the traditional culture and vernacular architecture Kyo-machiya
reflect in the four main features, which include materials, spatial organization, circulation and
structure. The similar features like simple layout, material and exposed building structure can
be both found between kyo-machiya and also in Nishinoyama House. Besides, the Japanese
culture which emphasize on the harmony between human and nature is also reflected in the
interconnecting spatial organization, circulation and also material used in Nishinoyama
House.
This paper will investigate on the influences of traditional Japanese culture and
vernacular architecture on the contemporary architecture of Nishinoyama House by
responding to the following research questions.
Title: The influences of traditional Japanese culture and vernacular Japanese
architecture on the contemporary architecture of Nishinoyama House.
1. What is Kyo-machiya?
2. What is the essence of Japanese culture related to Nishinoyama House?
3. How is the adaptation of vernacular architecture, Kyo-machiya into Nishinoyama house?
4. How does nishinoyama house reflect Japanese culture?
2Asian Architecture-Nishinoyama House
2.0 An overview of Japanese Vernacular Architecture - KyomachiyaMachiya is one of the two categories of Japanese vernacular houses according to
Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System (JAANUS,2011). This vernacular
architecture has undergone three important epoch which accords to the change of political
status of Japan.Machiya originated in the Heian period (794 -1185) and continued to develop
through the Muromachi era (1392-1573) and Meiji period. Under the Chinese influence, the
function of Machiya acted as urban dwellings for the townspeople, which are mostly
merchants and craftsmen.
Figure 2.0(i): Significant epochs of Machiya in Japan timeline
The standard defining form of machiya throughout Japan is represented by the Kyo
machiya, machiya located in Kyoto, which significantly defined the neighbourhood
atmosphere of downtown Kyoto. Kyomachiya is recognized as long and narrow wooden
houses which stretch deep into the city block. Typical Kyomachiya often has a small private
courtyard garden called “tsuboniwa”, which addresses the climate change to the user, also aid
in air circulation in the house.
3Asian Architecture-Nishinoyama House
Figure 2.0(ii): Typical courtyard garden in Machiya -“ Tsuboniwa”
(Image source:Tsuboniwa - Courtyard japanese gardens. Retrieved November 10, 2016, from
Even the street side economy ramen stalls which are normally set up in traditional
Machiya shophouses, where the customers, who are normally workers who have just left
work, dine together right in front of the chefs as they prepare their meals on the spot, this not
7Asian Architecture-Nishinoyama House
only helps the co-workers relax after a long day of work, it also strengthens the bond between
customers and also the shop owners, which further emphasizes the importance of
intrapersonal relationships to the Japanese society. (Cwiertka, 2006) These are just a few of
many customs and traditions that affects the way architecture is designed in Japan,
Nishinoyama house is a fine example of this.
In this culture where they practice strong and healthy intrapersonal relationship
between the people, prompted Kazuyo Sejima to create an enclosed neighbourhood(Nishinoyama House) where the people within it can bond even further with each other, via a spatial layout that places each unit in relation to the adjacent units. This intersection between semi-public units and open japanese courtyards encourages strong community linking within an enclosed environment.
The Japanese mythology also pays close attention to nature as a material for
inspiration. The mythology describes the origin of nature as we know it to be created by two
divinities, one male (Izanagi) and one female (Izanami), as they withdrew a spear from the
ocean, the brine dripped on the surface of the ocean and coagulated to form the 8 islands of
Japan. The female deity then gave birth to the natural elements, such as the seas, the rivers,
the mountains and the trees, water and the fire.She also gave birth to agriculture and
sericulture.
Japanese culture is also often said to be a close relationship between man and nature.
The Japanese attitude towards nature is sometimes described as “man in harmony with
nature” or “man in nature”.This culture is evidently shown through their utmost respect and
appreciation for the nature around them. They celebrate important seasonal festivals that
celebrate the beauty of nature, such as Cherry-blossom viewing, moon-viewing and snow-
viewing festival. The Japanese people often try to bring nature as close to home as possible,
by incorporating floral and wave patterns on the fabric of kimono dresses, and design small
gardens in tight confined spaces or in an alcove. The architectural style of Japan is designed
to compliment nature rather than dominate over it.
Even in cooking culture of Japan, the way food is normally cooked in Japan is rarely
meant to overpower the taste, colour, quality and shape of the natural food ingredient used.
This ultimately shows the respect the Japanese have for the materials and ingredients
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provided by Mother Nature, and the effort they go to preserve the quality of it in fields like
art, literature, food, social and ultimately architecture. (Cwiertka, 2006)
Therefore, the Nishinoyama house has incorporated nature into the open spaces
between roofs to in the form of rock gardens. Their respect for nature is translated to the
Nishinoyama house via many of the Japanese styled courtyards and gardens, where the
principle of wabi-sabi is clearly visible in the layout of the plants and pebbles in the rock
gardens, There is is not more than a few bare trees in each garden, with plain and soft colours
of the walls and pebbles to compliment the minimalistic atmosphere of the gardens. Kazuyo Sejima chose to stick to the original properties of the materials in the garden to maintain the subtle quality of the spaces.
4.0 Features of Nishinoyama House adapting Japanese Culture and
Vernacular Architecture
4.1 MaterialKyo Machiya is traditional wooden townhouse which is built before World War II in
Kyoto. Wood is the fundamental material of Japanese architecture as it is found abundantly in
the rich forests of this country. However, the economical growth in the 1960s introduced the
mainstream use of reinforced concrete in the construction of buildings in Japan. Therefore,
the materials used in the construction of Japanese houses transitioned from wood to concrete,
iron and steel.
4.4.1 Kyomachiya material type
Figure 4.4.1(i):Exterior of a typical Kyo-machiya house.
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(Image Source:TravelJapanBlog.com(n.d.)Retrieved November 11, 2016 from
15. Varley, H. P. (2000). Japanese culture. Honolulu: University of Hawaiʻi Press.
16. Cwiertka, K. J. (2006). Modern Japanese cuisine: Food, power and national identity.
London: Reaktion.
17. JAANUS - aisf.or.jp. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2016, from http://www.bing.com/cr?IG=1D886BC0F64B483BBE3D71E1D3AF88CD&CID=0A5731A15EE86A303F5E387A5FD96B58&rd=1&h=E_bvbzESL9AL0n1ZyXLHseEYet7VHse0Q6-OEercLZs&v=1&r=http://www.aisf.or.jp/%7Ejaanus/&p=DevEx,5085.1
18. Angen, C. (2012-2013). How Traditional Japanese Architecture can Contemporary Sustainable Design Practices. Retrieved November 12, 2016, fromhttp://digitalcommons.conncoll.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1008&context=envirohp