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Japanese Architecture: An Exploration of Elements & Forms
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About Japanese Architecture: An Exploration Of Elements
Product Description Thick thatched roofs and rough mud plaster walls. An intricately carved wood transom and a precisely woven tatami mat—each element of traditional Japanese architecture tells a story. In Japanese Architecture, author Mira Locher explores how each of these stories encompasses the particular development, construction, function and symbolism inherent in historic architectural elements. From roofs, walls and floors to door pulls and kettle hangers, Japanese Architecture situates these elements firmly within the natural environment and traditional Japanese culture. Japanese architecture developed with influences from abroad and particular socio-political situations at home. The resulting forms and construction materials—soaring roofs with long eaves, heavy timber structures of stout columns supporting thick beams, mud plaster walls flecked with straw and sand and the refined paper-covered lattice shoji screen—are recognizable as being of distinctly Japanese design. These constructed forms, designed with strong connections to the surrounding environment, utilize natural construction materials in ways that are both practical and inventive. This fascinating architecture book provides a comprehensive perspective of traditional Japanese architecture, relating the historical development and context of buildings and the Japanese garden while examining the stories of the individual architectural elements, from foundation to roof. Review "Mira Locher makes the observation that tradition only exists as an idea when it is challenged or superseded by the new. In her first-rate resource book on traditional design you will learn a great deal about construction methods, in which the use of natural materials encouraged a responsible attitude toward conservation." — The Japan Times "It describes architectural components thoroughly, exactingly, and lovinglyùidentifying them all with Japanese terms. Overall, this is a delightful book of photographs and a useful…guide for Japanophile architects and designers." — Choice magazine "Designers, architects, artists, and anyone with a love of Japanese traditional culture will enjoy this book." — Library Journal "Wider-ranging than most and packed with extensive discussions, Japanese Architecture is a satisfying introductory survey for any who would understand the unique style, function and approach of Japanese design." — Midwest Book Review About the Author Mira Locher is an architect and professor who works in the U.S. and Japan. She studied at Smith College before receiving her Master of Architecture degree from the University of Pennsylvania. After working for Team Zoo Atelier Mobile in Japan for seven years, she set up an architectural practice in the U.S. with Takayuki Murakami. Mira Locher is Dean of the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Manitoba (Canada). She is the author of Super Potato Design, Zen Gardens and Zen Garden Design. Ben Simmons grew up in Columbus, Georgia. He studied photography and psychology at SUNY in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York, before completing a Master of Fine Arts in photography and art history at the University of Florida. Simmons taught photography at Penland School of Crafts in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina before relocating to Japan. Ben Simmons Photography is based on the Miura Peninsula seacoast at Sagami Bay, just south of Tokyo. Ben specializes in photo essays and book projects. Recent books include Tokyo Desire, Hong Kong: The City of Dreams, The Little Book of Tokyo, Platinum Images of Thai Buddhism, Tokyo Megacity, and Kyoto: City of Zen. Kengo Kuma was born in Kanagawa, Japan, and completed a major in architecture at the University of Tokyo. Kengo Kuma & Associates, his own studio, was established in 1990. He also worked as a visiting professor on the faculty of environmental information at Keio University. In 1997 he won the prestigious Architectural Institute of Japan Award for his
