The modern dilemma: the diversity of culture and architecture between Turkey
and Japan;
Mukogawa Women's University
Akashi Okura Side
Ichijo-ji Temple
Osaka Station
Tempozan Harbor Village
Suntory Museum
Namba Dotonbori Area
Amemura Shinsaibashi Namba Area
Kyoto Station
National Kyoto Museum
Kiyomuzudera Temple
Ponto-cho District
Times Building
Teramachi
Hanshin Koshien Station
Funaya Gun
Amanohashidate
Shinsaibashi District
Narao Station
Miyajima Island
Hiroshima Peace Memorial
Umeda Skybuilding
Osaka Castle
Church of Light
National Museum of Art
Golden Pavillion
Kinkaku-ji Temple
R-yoanji Temple
Tenryuji Temple
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Yamamura House
Rose Garden
Wall Avenue
Kitano Alley
Wall Step I Fix 213
The Rin's Gallery I The Kaigan Building Gallery I The Fish Dance
Hyogo Prefectural Museum
Omotesando Hills
Yoyogi Olympic Stadium
Gyre Building I Dior Building
Toss Building I Hugo Boss Building Spiral Building I Comme Des Garces
Prada Aoyama Building
From 1st Building I Collezione Building I Nezu Museum
International Library of Childrens Literature
Western Art Museum
Nakagin Tower
Nicholas G.Hayek Center I De Beers Ginza Building I Maison Herbes Building
Gucci Building I Dior Building I Mikimoto Building
Tokyo International Forum
Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Memorial
Nara Centennial Hall
Todaiji Temple
Gülbahar, EMIR
ICSA in JAPAN
We had been in Japan between JuneAugust 2015 with the 6th ICSA (InterCultural Study of Architecture) Program which is the architectural course with the participation of Japanese and Turkish students under the collaboration of Bahcesehir University and Mukogawa Women’s University(MWU).
The main gain was to experience a design process within a different ‘cultural interaction’ in the design studio. It can be said that there is an important role in the cultural background of the designer. The difference was clear on the final projects the Japanese and Turkish students have different approaches to the design.
In Mukogawa Women’s University, the term is consists of 7 weeks in total.
The design studios are from 1:05 to 4:20 p.m. According to our experience, the observation about the design studio at MWU is stimulating that some instructors develop design proposals at the same time with the students.
‘The future of architecture is culture.’
PHILIP JOHNSON
Below: The detail of the brick facade
MUKOGAWA WOMEN'S UNIVERSITY
Koshien Hall
Architect: Arata Endo
Location: Nishinomiya, Hyogo
Today was the first day at the Mukogawa Women’s University in Japan. The university had been visited at the beginning of the day There was held a welcome ceremony at 1.15 pm at the Koshien Hall. The introduction speech was given in Japanese by ICSA Students. The Koshien Hall that was opened as a hotel in 1930, can be a representation of the historical value of the architecture. The building can be perceived about the architect Frank Lloyd Wright; due to the designer architect, Arata Endo was one of the students of F. L. Wright.
The Koshien Hall is centrifugal within every aspect which is supplied with the organic architectural term of F. L. Wright. The concern of the human scale seems a fundamental element of the design of this building. This scale becomes excellent in Japanese architecture due to their standard dimensions calculations. When it is looked at the building, the combination of the horizontal lines, vertical lines, and the roofs are characterized within an associative beauty by the materials.
Above: Koshien Hall
After the Koshien Hall, the Architectural Studio that seems like a modern version of the historical building had been visited. The harmony between the two buildings is so visible The school can be seen as an open architectural museum full of its details. There is an atrium that the light passes through from the skylight, at the center of the Architecture Studio Thus, the stairs as circulation elements are so well designed and have eye movements on these ascending and descending staircases.
The presentation room seems so useful because of the detailed design. The movable wall panels are allowed to use the space for several purposes. This room can be used for exhibitions, lectures, and presentations. There are ways for a bicycle on the streets and the use of bicycles is so prevalent in their culture by young or elder people. And also, in the school there is a place for bike parking, it must be provided ease for the students. There are frequently food and beverage models in the store in front of restaurants or cafes.
The studio spaces that have a light consideration, were constructed of pre-stressed concrete. Each student in that faculty has an individual designated drafting desk and computer. When the structural research laboratory had been visited in this building, the loading frame that is used for tests, had been seen in there. Near the structural laboratory, there is a construction practice room that students learn and experience several materials and details
Today, it was the time to experience Ikebana that is one of the cultural assets of Japan, at the Basic Design Studio. The main philosophy of Ikebana has been taught by the headmaster of the Ikebana lesson. We have studied with a flower according to the principles of Ikebana. The bunch of flowers is called as ‘hanataba’ in Japanese meaning. The feeling of a sense of flowers can help to see the soul of the flowers In Japanese Art, the pedicles and leaves of the flowers are equally important as the shapes, colors, and styles of the flowers. It can be said that the fundamentals of Ikebana can be minimalism, harmony, symbolism, and order. Ikebana with the flowers can be a way to express the idea of harmony world between heaven, earth, and humanity
According to my observations, the house typology is generally consist of low–rise buildings in Nishinomiya that is the city located in Hyogo Prefecture in Japan.
Above: The Ikebana lesson
Below: The art studying with roses
Today, regarding the project term, it has been worked with the fabric of the membrane structure’s material. The quality of the fabric is tried to be experienced with the help of teachers. The opposite directions of the structure must be needed to be the same language as high or low. It is seen that the membrane structure can be formed a flowing shape in several ways with its three-dimensional curvature form of tensioned Teflon-treated glass fiber films.
‘Rebuilding Hanshin Koshien Station with a Membrane Structured Roof ‘ is the subject of our study as the same with MWU's third-year students for their Architectural Design Studio III. It includes to design a tension membrane structure covering the whole platform of Koshien Station, which is related to the famous baseball stadium in Japan.
Above: The experience of the fabric material of the membrane structure
Below: At the architectural design studio
The dining space of the architectural studio building has kind of a viewpoint of the natural environment of the garden. The inside and outside of the building can be felt in the dining space as a transparent and mirror effect. When you stay in there at night, the reflections on the glass wall make you are in a mirror or when you stay in there at the day time, the green volume on the view from outside makes you feel you are out.
The models are presented on the corridor in a special line and these models are observed by me. Thus, it can tell that the model design is so pure and clear so, the expressions of the projects are so easy to read
Above: The projects exhibited on the corridor
Below: The dining space of the architectural studio building
Today 9.30 am, there was a membrane structure lecture about the history, the materials, construction techniques, and examples of the membrane structures by Akihiro Noguchi (engineer at Taiyo Kogyo Corp.).
Field trips are organized for architectural students on Saturday by the concepts of the projects that studied in the studio class. So, the Akashi Okura Seaside visited to see one of an example of a suspended membrane structure. It was taken notes and sketched drawings about the membrane structure and its details and connections The coastline is an example of how the seaside used in Japan. The relation with the water designed step by step, user do not approach the water directly
Above&Below: The membrane structure at the Akashi Okura Seaside
AKASHI OKURA SEASIDE
Location: Akashi, Hyogo Prefecture
After, the next visit was to the Ichijo-ji Temple in Kansai City. The 5-story pagoda, completed in 1171, is a Japanese National Treasure constructed in the Wayo architectural style. A Pagoda is a building to enshrine Buddha’s ashes and this is why it became taller and taller. The roof tiles of the pagoda were so distinctive. Thus, at the entrance level of the temple, there is a wooden vertical boards that the names of the donator of the temple on it, as like in the other temples.
The temple is at the end of long stone sacred stairs settled into the surrounding mountains with its green environment. While climbing the stairs, the water sounds accompanied by its spiritual entity. The ritual ablution had been tried as a religious behavior before entering the main hall, the most sacred place in a temple, of the temple.
ICHIJO-JI TEMPLE
Founder: Hōdō Sennin
Location: Hirakata, Osaka Prefecture
Completed: 650
Right: Ichijo-ji Temple
In the morning, it was taken the train to Osaka at 10 o’clock, the first train experience in Japan It had arrived at the Osaka Station has a large glass roof.
OSAKA STATION
Location: Osaka, Osaka Prefecture
Station
At first, the waterfront area of Tempozan Harbor Village visited, and there was a Kaiyukan Osaka Aquarium. According to my research, Kaiyukan means "Playing in the Sea Pavilion", and that is the conception of Peter Chermayeff an American architect in charge of the
project. The Aquarium awakes an interest in the biodiversity that lives in the ocean. After crossing an entry hall, the design included an escalator that transports visitors to the highest point, which houses a Japanese forest. Following, the visitor follows a spiral that connects the exhibition halls.
When you look from outside of the building, you see just a colorful glass-topped box. It is hard to feel from outside the incredible circulation with ramp design. The large tanks represent the open ocean, and the inhabitants represent ‘the ring of fire’. The experience of lighting and interior design was an amazing way to see the ocean and its inhabitants.
Location: Osaka, Osaka Prefecture
Above: The Osaka Aquarium, the Suntory Museum and the Tempozan Ferris Wheel
Below: The Osaka Aquarium
TEMPOZAN HARBOR VILLAGE
SUNTORY MUSEUM
Architect: Tadao Ando
Architect and Associates
ocation: Osaka, Osaka Prefecture
Completed: 1994
Above: The Osaka Aquarium, the Suntory Museum ( view from the Tempozan Ferris Wheel Below: The Suntory Museum)
Near the Aquarium, there is a Suntory Museum designed by Tadao Ando in 1994. Due to the museum was closed, the area experienced from outside. The boundaries of the site exceeded with a flying volume with column layout, that extend to the sea. The waterfront public space created with the help of the descending slopes and stairs. Five columns are standing tall at the water’s edge, which gives a rhythm to the scene. The building composition consists of an inverted truncated cone intersected by two prismatic volumes. Different angles and different levels of the design give a powerful expression. The Suntory Museum contrasts between steel and glass, with constructed of pre-stressed reinforced concrete.
Aboev&Below: The Suntory Museum
After the Museum, Tempozan Ferris Wheel is the city’s largest been experienced. The city was observed from 112.5 m height, with panoramic views of the bay area and the city’s skyscrapers.
After all, we had been to Namba Area. In Namba, Dotonbori is an area surrounded by the streets near the river visited. It is like an open version of the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. The shops in the street are lying in the lines The street has a joy-full of noise, full of light and full of energy. The masses of lights, labyrinthine of streets with shops including pachinkos, karaokes, boutiques, souvenirs, shops to restaurants provide to all kinds of desire. ‘Kanidoraku’, a giant crab with moving arms welcomes people for a crab delight. There is a star, Glico Man which looks like an advertisement for a sportsrelated company, it is a kind of symbol of Osaka.
Shochiku-za Theatre Kabuki is a part of the Dotombori. ‘Kabuki’ is an the traditional Japanese art form of theater with roots tracing back to the Edo Period.
Above: The Namba Area
Below: The Shochikuza Theatre
DOTONBORI NAMBA AREA
Location: Minami, Osaka
AMEMURA SHINSAIBASHI NAMBA AREA
Location: Minami, Osaka
Left: The Shinsaibaishi Right: The Amemura Area
After 5 minute walk from the Dotonbori, it had been reached to Amerikamura also called ‘Amemura’. The the first screen comes from America to the area has seen. The fashion the trend at Amemura is supposedly ‘American’, but it can be noted that the concept of American from a Japanese point of view, so it is a little from expectations. And there is a representation of the statue of liberty and statue in Amemura. Thus, the lampposts lining the streets of Amemura are distinctive with specially shaped, add a different atmosphere to the place
Near around, Shinsaibashi which is the shopping arcade of the area had been experienced. It lies on a long straightway with closed-roof which is for protection from the weather When it specialized, the city’s architecture can be called modern and minimalist architecture. Everything seems in detailed thinking. One of the examples, the most common one, the manhole covers are so beautiful with drawings and figures.
Today was the time to work for the model making of the project It started nearly the afternoon. The step was drilling at the studio of construction practice. It is needed to work with the wooden board and sticks to the station model Firstly, according to the teacher’s explanations, we had been learned how to use the drilling machine. And also, the saw was experienced for cutting the wooden board Thus, the wooden board cut according to the measurements, and the openings made.
The model built with the help of nails. And so, it had been worked until 7 30 pm Everything ruled in the school’s perfect education system. When students finish their works, the working place is needed to clean by the students This behavior is really for humanity to decrease the work for cleaning staff.
Today, the train station model made at the school. The study as an architectural studio different from Turkey helpful to experience and understand the technique of model making design in the eyes of Japanese students. Every space in this school is productive and efficient. Everything seems that has a function and purpose. There is nothing as called unnecessary that I have seen
Below: At the structural laboratory
Above: At the architectural design studio
There was fieldwork at Narao Station to experience the station design and requirements. According to the study experience, there are symbolic components that should be seen easily in the station space. The stairs, entrance gates, escalators, elevators, signs, and so on play a role as symbolic components for passengers in the stations. In Narao Station, the simple and homogeneous space is created by the plank sheet which is a steel plate with 2.4 mm thickness and 100 mm height. The plank sheet does not require any support and finishing materials. The plank sheet has a function for hanging signs. The curves of the plank sheet covering the station platforms are inspired by the sails filling with the wind. There were mosaic tiles made by the students that were used in the construction.
The motifs of the mosaics represent a sailing boat coming and going through the sea and a fish swimming through a wave and a beachcomber lapping onto the shore. The motifs patterns were combined and arranged to represent landscapes of the sea from the Naruo beach.
Left above& Middle below:
At the Narao Station
Below: The motifs
After one and a half hours, it has arrived in Kyoto that was the old capital of Japan. In Kyoto, the exterior spaces such as narrow lanes and gardens take on greater importance. Our first technical visit to The Kyoto Station, was conceived by the Japanese architect Hiroshi Hara, in 1997. When it is looked from outside, the building seems just like a monoblock. It is effective that when you go inside, you experience a large void in the space. These large main halls with its exposed steel beamed roof give a futuristic imaginary with an irregular cubic facade. The rhythm of the steel structure is given the idea of a grid network of the streets. And also, the large void offers people different functions with its huge stairs. The station with 70 m height, consists of hotels, shopping, theatre, wedding space, and more. The reflections on the glass facade are so impressive. There is a skyway tunnel covered with the steel structure This tunnel offers an observation space. The Hiazen Mountain which is the main mount of Buddhists is on the sight view. And, the Kyoto Tower that is an iconic landmark of the Kyoto, can be observed from there. The colorful objects on the open space in the station caught my attention. I asked why it is here and what it is.
Below: Kyoto Station
KYOTO STATION
Architect: Hiroshi Hara
Location: Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
Date: 1997
Below: The view from the bridge of the Kyoto Station
Above: The reflection of the structure on the facade of Kyoto Station
The next stop was to the National Kyoto Museum that sits on a part of the Hoko-ji Temple. The entrance gate covered with a horizontal, low, and flat roof. When you enter the garden, simplicity is welcomed by the visitor. There are two buildings; one of them is the Meiji Kotokan Hall, October 1895, and the second is Heisei Chishinkan Wing, August 2013
The old building with onestoried old brick is the French Neo-Renaissance style. And the new building is with concrete and steel. The sound of the water from the pool produces an effect by pure on the visitors. The uncovered remains of the temple with an archaeological excavation of the site, open to the visitor. The original location of the pillars inside of the pools and also in the lobby are the metal rings.
NATIONAL KYOTO MUSEUM
Location: Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto CIty Established: May 1897
One of the things learned from the exhibition that Buddhism found 2500 years ago and the sixth century to Japan.
Above& Below: The National Kyoto Museum
After, we set off to Kiyomizudera Temple. The narrow and steep alleys on our way were authentic examples of the traditional urban environment of the ancient Japanese Cities. Kiyomizudera Temple in greens like heaven was a pure water wooden temple that found in 780. The temple that sits on top of the hill, with two walkways, are historic survivors from the old times. From the entrance, it has arrived with the stairs.
Kiyomizudera complex consists of twenty buildings. Hon-do is the most representative building of the complex. It is a structure supported by 139 wooden columns, which can reach up to 15 meters high. These piles are placed on stone bases but without foundations. The Buddhist style roof of the hall covered with cypress shingles. At the end of the narrow passage, the view opened to a wide perspective of the Temple. The composition with terraced successive elements has imposing characters. From its terrace, one can enjoy a prime location to oversee the panorama of Kyoto City. The harmony with the nature of Japan traditional architecture comes to the minds with its scale and ratio.
On our way, Yasaka Shrine, well known for its summer festival, visited. The Gion Matsuri is a celebration every July. But we could not have been due to the weather conditions. After there, with a little walking, the Ponto-cho district had arrived. It is offered ‘Kawayuka’ as dining in summer times near the Kamogawa riverside. There are raised floors building from the river level on these sides. Ponto-cho has a traditional narrow street. The people with Kimono can be seen all around in Kyoto, especially in Pontocho. There is also a theater for Geisha to practice.
Above&Below: The Ponto-cho District
Besides, the time was to meet Tadao Ando. Times Building located Geisha to practice In the vicinity of the Sanjo Bridge across the Takase River, is contemplated with concrete. Integration of the building and the river wonders how effective the users and their life with the river. People can see that Ando tries to respond to the sense of the scale of the river. Ando gives the symbolic meaning to the building that has a commercial facility, but it is required to ask how the functionality is. To me, poeticalness is so dominant. The site-level excavated down to the water level The relation between inside and outside of the building can interrogate.
Various viewpoints encountered to the river are connected to the ‘margins’ with the complex because of the stairs and alleys. It is like a labyrinth with narrow stairs. The corner’s intrusion and protrusion open to each other. The corridors along the side facing the river collect the pedestrian flow of the street and invite people to visit the different levels of the building. The circulation organized within the orthogonal geometry of the building. It is created the concrete walls and folds them as if they were a giant origami.
TIMES BUILDING
Architect: Tadao Andı
Location: Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
Below: Times Building
After, Teramachi area, shopping arcade-like an old bazaar visited In Japan, the street’s top covered for protection from the rain. The rain is part of Japanese culture. The use of the balcony is remarkable in the city The use of outside spaces in Japan is less. It feels like they closed their curtains to the outside world. The spaces are small closed areas.
TERAMACHI
Location: Higashiyama-ku
, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
Above&Below: Terramachi Area
In the morning, the Hanshin Koshien Station visited. The use of the platform analyzed for the improvement of the architectural design process. The necessary measurements were taken. The height of the current station was considered. The openings on the roof covering were examined. And the toilets’ s place was seen. The entrance gate was studied.
HANSHIN KOSHIEN STATION
Location: Nishinomiya, Hyogo
There was an Ikebana lesson in the afternoon session. It was made a large scale of Ikebana arrangements with the collaboration of MWU’s students. The flowers were selected. The design language was achieved at the end of the time After studied, the design and its processes presented to the class.
There was an architectural design studio. There was given a lecture by structural engineer Mamoru Kawaguchi who worked with the Kenzo Tange at the Yoyogi Olympic Stadium. The lesson was about membrane structure. After that, it was worked on the model works. The styrofoam slicing machine was used for cutting the material easily.
Above: The Ikebana Lesson
Below&Middle:The architectural Studio
The technical trip was to Funaya Gun at Ine Bay. Ine is a fishing village in Tango Peninsula The aim is to observe the superb scenery of waterfront and to develop its ideas of designs of waterfront, canals, roads, and walking paths. In Ine, everything in the community’s life is for the sea and the fishing. When it is looked at the landscape gifts of the area, the Bay also is surrounded by rocky mountains that keep from the typhoon to the village The stone-based houses resistance to the earthquake. It is a protection from the earthquake and movements. There is an island of Aoshima, which is as a natural breakwater for the Bay. Thus, The wave is gentle and the range of the tide is about 50 cm. The second floor of the funaya is the fishermen’s residences The ground floor inside of Funaya is the garage of the ship. The most important tool “net” for the fishermen has been kept in“storehouse”. The main building on the mountainside, Funaya on the seaside across the road, and such an excellent storehouse are the basic three-piece set. The storehouse has functional and refined decoration and is also facing the sea. The entrance is provided on the gable side. The floor slopes to the sea,
Above&Middle&Below:
Funaya Gun at Ine Bay
There is a roof on the facade over the windows; it should be for protection from the weather conditions. There are also symbolic things on the house’s windows, doors, or walls. The homes with balconies are semi-use with the two families There is a festival that the small temples carried to the water. The houses have an open front and open green spaces. The Castanopsis and pine trees used for the house’s bases and beams. The current landscape with two-story houses was developed around 1940. when the storages which ware on the roadside were relocated to the bayside because of the road improvement. The characteristics of the landscape of Ine built up with reed shaped, which provide residents’ work effectiveness and equalization to obtain the benefits from the sea, which is not different from that of the farming villages. Ine selected as a national preservation district for a group of historic buildings in 2005, which is the first as the fishing village. The building design there was consummated to be used better.
When on a boat tour, it can be seen that the houses’ reflection on the water creates order and beauty. When it looks from the sea, the houses appear as they are floating on water.
In this district, everything comes from the sea and go back to the sea again Ine-noFunaya is private boathouses in the Ine district, where the first floor is a boat dock or boat storage area. Funaya houses are built at sea level within Ine Bay and boats docked on the first floor can go directly out to sea. Fishermen dock their boats on the first floor of these houses and also carry out boat maintenance, as well as process and dry fish in this functional area.
Funaya
Bay
After there, a few times later, it had been to the transportation with telpher. It had arrived in the Amanohashidate, which has the most scenic view in Japan. It had walked on the stairs surrounded by pine trees at Kasamatsu Park. When looked from between the legs, the bridge believed to seem like a falling bridge from heaven. The places in peace like you never want to leave.
AMANOHASHIDATE
Location: Miyazu Bay, Kyoto Prefecture
Photo66. 67. 68. Amanohashidate
We had been to Kimono Show. Kimono means 'thing to wear' is a traditional garment. The hardest step of kimono wearing is the tie. It had been to the Shinsaibashi district When you inside of the restaurant, etc, it is hard to feel the outside. You feel like nothing about outside. So, the sense of space can change according to where you are
SHINSEIBASHI DISTRICT
Location: Osaka
Above&Middle: Kimono Show
Below: Shinsaibashi District
There was a meeting with the board of trustee members beginning of the day. After, The researching building of Shigeyuki Okazaki visited. The building made of concrete blocks is prefabricated with 45 cm thickness. The concrete blocks were specialized in the middle of the blocks. This part is can be used for several functions such as a hanger. The view can not show completely in Japanese Design, it is with discontinuous on the control of the designer. The viewpoints considered in the design process. The suspended ceiling is used for covering electricity, etc.
All: The research building
After that, the Narao Station was visited by Shigeyuki Okazaki. In the afternoon, there was a presentation by Koshien Station’s personals. After that, the connection detail was showed with the drawings by the teachers. And then, it had been worked on the models. It was tried to understand how the membrane structure creates and defines a space. It was changed the high of the sticks and their position.
Right above&below: The Narao Station
Left above&below: The studio
Location: Nishinomiya, Hyogo
Today, it had been working on the projects. At night, there was a baseball game at the Koshien Stadium. So, it had been visited the Hanshin Koshien Station to observe the density of the people who are coming from the stadium to the station When the game is over, the density of the people was recorded minute by minute. Although crowded people, it is hard to feel them. The crowd controlled by the guidance, so it can say that the orientation is an important factor controlling the intensity of the people. Many attendants work to prevent any rush.
Above&Middle&Below: The Hanshin Koshien Station
It had been worked on the model early in the morning; due to the jury will be on the other day. There was a technical trip to the Hiroshima district. Therefore, it had been taken the bus at 7.30 in the morning. Almost 5 hours trip, it had been arrived to ferry to go to the Miyajima Island that is as an island that is a world cultural heritage site, is less than an hour outside the Hiroshima City. The island that is surrounded by the forest, has been the object of natural worship for people living nearby. The sight ranked as one of the three most scenic spots in Japan. There are also wild deers on the island that have become accustomed to people. In the day the deer wander around the same sites as the visitors. The centuries-old Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima is the source of both the island's fame and its name.
Above&Below: The Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island
The shrine that is with Shinden style of architecture, and its Torii gate that dedicated to Munakata Goddess is unique for being built over water, seemingly floating in the sea during high tide. The Tori Gate can be under the water with flux and reflux. The shrine complex consists of multiple buildings, including a prayer hall, the main hall, and a noh theater stage, which are connected by boardwalks and supported by pillars above the sea.
Like the Torii gate, the shrines' main buildings are built over water In 1168, Taira no Kiyomori, the most powerful man in Japan during the end of the Heian Period, selected the island as the site of his clan's family shrine and built Itsukushima Shrine The shrine is located in a small inlet, while the Torii gate that is believed to keep evil spirits away, is set out in the Seto Inland Sea. Paths lead around the inlet, and visitors enjoy walking along with them while looking out onto the sea.
MIYAJIMA ISLAND
Location: Itsukishima, Hiroshima
After the Itsukushima Shrine, it had been walked near the water canal Thus, the relation with the water canal between the user is examined. So, it has arrived at the Senjokaku Shrine. In 1587 AD Hideyoshi Toyotomi, the warlord who unified Japan during this era, ordered the establishment of Senjokaku Shrine as a place where sutra chanting would be held in honor of war casualties. While it is the biggest building in Miyajima, it has never been finished with its construction halting on Hideyoshi Toyotomi's death. Senjokaku is derived from its planned floor space, which is equal to the area of 857 tatami mats. Next to the Senjokaku Shrine, Goju-noto is located. Goju-no-to is a vermilion red Five-Storied Pagoda built in 1407 AD that shows a splendid structural beauty that skilfully combines the beauty of Japanese and Chinese architectural styles. Goju-no-to is 27.6 meters high And lastly, on the island, it had been visited the street shops surrounded by Machiyas. Again, it had been taken the ferry back. Thus, it had been taken the bus for nearly 30 minutes.
Below left: The Senjokaku Shrine
Middle left: The Itsukushima Shrine
Above left: The street shops
Below right: The five storied Pagoda
Despite its small size, the bomb devastated Hiroshima within a radius of 5 km, resulting in the death of many people and effecting many people with radiation. The atomic bomb released three highly destructive forms of energy: heat, winds, and radiation. These three forms of energy instantly destroyed the city, smashing most of the wooden homes and many concrete buildings. And it had been taken to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. Firstly, it had been walked near the river On the park, there was an Atomic Bomb Dome that is so unique, the ruins of the former Industrial Promotion Hall of Hiroshima Prefecture remains still standing This building was completed in April of 1915 under the design and supervision of Czech architect Jan Letzel. Numerous works of reinforcement have been made to keep this place as a testimony of that tragic event. This place was declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage to make it a lesson for humanity, with a clear and strong message: never again a nuclear war. And then, it had continued to walk. The park honors Sadako Sasaki’s memory with the monument, representing Sadako with a paper crane
Moving testimonials like that of Sadako Sasaki, a girl who got leukemia and decided to make paper cranes with the idea that if she could make a thousand of these, she would be cured. Sadako died when she only had finished about 600 paper cranes, and her classmates completed the rest The city of Hiroshima was known as a commercial city, especially in the area between the Motoyasu and Honkawa rivers, which was the economic heart of the city. Given its importance, it also housed a military base. When looked at the historical background, it was early morning on that 6 August 1945 at 8.15 am, in Hiroshima. A B29 bomber named Enola Gay, dropped the first atomic bomb in history over Hiroshima, specifically targeting the T which is the intersection of the bridges over rivers Honkawa and Motoyasu.
HIROSHIMA PEACE MEMORIAL
Location: Hiroshima
Below: The Atomic Bomb Dome
Above: The Hiroshima Peace Memorial
Kenzo Tange, a Japanese architect, was commissioned with the challenge of designing the reconstruction of Hiroshima. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Hall building was designed by Tange inside the Park Center in 1994. After passing the entrance dug into the ground, a spiral ramp leads to a cylindrical space, where a 360° photography of Hiroshima after the bombing is displayed. In the center of this space there is a fountain of water and above it a glass skylight, both in the form of a clock ticking at 8:15, the time of the disastrous event. Kenzo Tange has proposed an idea that considers the axis of the dome, the torch from the middle of the monument, viewpoints, and the path to peace. The building that has a monumental sprit is flawless with the concrete material
The building expression, completed in exposed concrete, and its monumental size supported on pillars, inevitably evoke the master Le Corbusier. It is flanked on its sides by two smaller buildings for the Library and the Conference Center.
Above&Below: The Hiroshima Peace Memorial
The Peace Center can not deny the influence of Modernism. The following four issues are discussed: Scale Pray for the Repose or Create Peace Axis of Vista Present Status Inevitably suggesting Le Corbusier influences, the museum is supported on pillars, like Le Corbusier's patented pilot. Furthermore, the building is articulated with reinforced concrete, a natural convention of Corbusier. Tange loved what Le Corbusier represented and was convinced that Japanese architecture would become enormous in scale, pursuing that large architecture built-in social human scale was in demand.
It really is successful that the building cuts the relation of visitors from outside and takes people to the topic day with the impressive exhibits. The Peace Park and Peace Center designed by Tange revitalized Japan, expressing the solidarity of humankind as well as symbolizing a commitment to peace.
In 1995 the three buildings were connected by a bridge. Inside, the Tange’s museum succeeds in transporting the visitor into the catastrophe of the blast. The exhibition ranges technical data about the bomb todramatic testimonies of the victims, in theatrically prepared halls.
Today, there will be a middle jury. So, it had been started to work to complete the jury process at 6 am The final works created. At 13.05, the jury was started. In MWU, the jury process is different from Bahcesehir University. Here, each person has 2 minutes, and one selected teacher comments. And, each student takes note of the student’s projects on the current jury.
Above&Middle&Below:
The final project design
It had been taken to the train from Nishinomiya to Osaka. And, it arrived at the Umeda Sky Building at 9.15. After all the students' group had been gathered, the presentation had been started at 9.30. It was mainly about how the bridge constructed and how long time it takes to place the bridge. There are also colorful objects like Kyoto Station that is created by Hiroshi Hara. When the presentation is over, I got a chance to ask these colorful objects’ meanings and reasons. It was told these colorful objects here without any meaning. It just resembled an ‘Oden’ that is a kind of food of Japanese It seemed so interesting. After, it is moved to the machine room that is called' Machine Zoo’ by the architect. The machines seemed like an animal So, the machines are colored in the machine room. And then, there is a green area also called ‘Public Jungle’.
Above&Middle&Below:
The machine room of the Umeda Sky Building
UMEDA SKYBUILDING
Architect: Hiroshi Hara Location: Osaka
Osaka is the second big city in Japan. By contrast, its architecture, urban planning and infrastructure are impressive symbols of a modern and cosmopolitan city. Near the Yodo River, the Umeda district is located, the financial and commercial heart of the city. Here, The Umeda Sky Building (1993), designed by the architect Hiroshi Hara. Hara was designed the building with two goals. Firstly, to create a great urban gateway. Two towers of 173 m were erected, joined at the top by a viewing terrace. These towers are connected by bridges, panoramic elevators, and electric sidewalks, affording an interesting pedestrian dynamism, unlike most of the world of skyscrapers, where you can only go up or down. The building is crowned by a platform of 54 by 54 meters, perforated at its center by a glass ring that seems to evoke a space station. This platform includes restaurants whose interiors are soberly decorated, called the "Floating Garden" Observatory. There is also an interior balcony and an outdoor terrace, from where you can appreciate a spectacular view of the city of Osaka.
The second objective was to give this skyscraper the appearance of a floating city, and for this purpose Hara used a special glass on top of the building, which reflects the surrounding sky and landscape, contrasting with the opaque ceramic on the bottom. In this way, the building changes its appearance every day of the year, every hour of the day. At the top of each tower, the edges have been shredded in a series of volumetric allegories, becoming a metaphor of the clouds in which the garden observatory "floats". In my opinion, this action spoils the purity of the idea by including unnecessary and arbitrary decorations
Above&Middle&Below:
The Umeda Sky Building
The construction process was very interesting. Firstly the side towers were erected and later the observation deck was hoisted by a crane and fitted at the top of the building. Its originality in new skyscraper design, the knowledge of construction techniques that deal with earthquakes and typhoons, a unique search for integration between man, technology and landscape, and the thoroughness and sobriety in the interior design, typically Japanese, makes this impressive work an architectural landmark of twentieth-century Japan. The big project of super high-rise buildings from the diversified points of view concerning architectural planning, relation to surrounding areas, construction methods, and economic administration. After, it had been to the ‘Wallpaper Exhibitions’ by Hiroshi Hara. In the exhibition, Hara transcribed world-historical books and texts on the wallpapers sheets Hara was quoted from Homer, Odyssea, Immanuel Kant, Mark Twain, James Joyce, Frantz Kafka, and more on these wallpapers sheets.
Above&Middle&Below:
The Umeda Sky Building
The interesting about Japan, that is realized, people generally do not eat outside like on the streets. It might be based on the traditional background of the Japanese. And later, it had been moved to, another landmark of Osaka, the Osaka Castle which was constructed on the high big stones. The castle’ s construction of Osaka Castle started in 1583 Toyotomi Hideyoshi intended the castle to become the center of a new and it was the largest castle at the time. By the time, Osaka Castle was rebuilt in the 1620s, but its main castle tower was struck by lightning in 1665 and burnt down. It was not until 1931 that the present ferro-concrete reconstruction of the castle tower was built It houses an informative museum about the castle's history and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The castle tower is surrounded by secondary citadels, gates, turrets, impressive stone alls, and moats. Entire Osaka Castle Park covers with lots of green space, sports facilities, a multi-purpose arena and a shrine dedicated to Toyotomi Hideyoshi The stairs are very particular one set for going up, one for going down, so creative. The impressive presentation technique can be seen inside of the exhibition in the castle When you reach the top floor, the 360-degree view of the city welcomes people.
OSAKA CASTLE
Location: Osaka
Above&Below: The Osaka Castle
All: The city view from the Osaka Castle
After there, the Maruzen Insatsu Bookstore had been visited designed by Tadao Ando. There are concrete braces that are as a structural element But when you are inside, it is hard to feel the structure. In the city of Osaka, the beautiful facades are more visible with the lights at night.
Left above&below: The Maruzen Insatsu Bookstore Right above&below: The buildings with the light
Today at 11.30, it had been taking the train to the Ibaraki, and after there continued by bus And it arrived at the Church of Light that is located in a hidden corner, in Ibaraki. This small complex consists of two modest buildings, arranged at an angle and has seen properly oriented according to the urban language of the neighborhood. The the church complex was designed by a well-known Japanese architect Tadao Ando who uses the exposed concrete as sculptural element. In this complex, Ando is seemed to show the relation between materiality and meaning. The access to the complex is perceived as an intentionally indirect. The people are forced to enter the complex at the northeast corner through a side street by a forecourt, arriving to an area located in the back of the church. From there one enters to a little square, which houses a circular bench. By way of this space, it organizes the accesses to the main church and adjacent chapel
Above: The Church of light
CHURCH OF LIGHT
Architect: Tadao Ando
Location: Ibaraki, Osaka
Based on very simple elements like rectangular boxes and intersecting planes, Ando modeled the churches using light and space. The main church, laterally crossed by a wall rotated degrees from the main axis of the nave. Ando brings dynamism to the orthogonal space of the nave, the broken edges and the light comes through from there, allowing light to filter horizontally and giving the impression that the roof is floating in the air. The building, constructed in concrete, has given up any ornament in favor of the
spirituality that gives light, enhancing its sacredness. According to the reports, due to the reduced budget at the short time of construction, the main church had no special elements aside from the concrete walls and the calculated openings. So, because of that, is that the church transmits such strong spirituality. The presence of nature, reduced to the element of light, takes a highly abstract character and responding to this abstraction, pure design grows with the daily passage of time.
The few but precise openings placed in this space, enhance the brightness of light against a background of darkness. In the small chapel adjacent to the main church, Ando repeats the theme of the box crossed by an oblique plane, slightly detached from the roof Despite its simplicity, the oblique plane, the wall, and the skylight are assembled in a spectacular choreography of forms, surfaces, and tones. Nature is always a reference in traditional Japanese architecture. Thus the fluidity of the relationship between interior and exterior. Upon entering the chapel and looking to the right, along the window reveals a simple allegory to the cross, resting on greenery and water. If there is no crucifix-shaped incision piercing on the front wall, it is hard to feel in the church within the gloomy space. It can be asked the relation between the Sunday School as the educational part of the church and Church of light According to my observation, it was hard for the crisis the similarity between them. There is a contrast with the use of the light as an architectural element between two buildings. In the complex, modular simplicity creates an area that touches the soul of the people. The use of furniture is also specialized like the order of the chair
All: The Church of light
After there, back to the Osaka, and there it had been visited the National Museum of Art that is designed by Cesar Pelli in 2004 The museum was developed three levels underground. The museum in Japan presents an explosive, amorphous facade, completely free of geometric constraints It is to establish a landmark that will develop the collective memory of the site. Due to limitations of the area, it was decided that complex, should be developed underground, with two galleries for permanent and temporary installations. The facade, however, stands as a light structure- made of stainless steel tubes coated in titanium - that emerges from the ground level, forming a sculptural spasm, and spreading like the wings of a mystical bird. This sculpture wraps the steel and glass lobby, which affords generous natural light to the interior. It is written that has an expression of Bamboo growing from the ground, reaching fort the clouds and swaying in the wind It can tell that architecture and sculpture and the explicit feeling of freedom and contemporaneity expressed in its facade.
THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ART
Architect: Cesar Pelli
Location: Osaka
Right : The National Museum of Art
Above: Tsunashikiten
Shrine Below: The Kansai Telecasting Corporation
Middle: The Nakazakiche Area
After Tsunashikiten shrine was visited, this is a small shrine as usual. And then, it had been to the Ogimachi park, the distinctive element was the wall for climbing adults and children so meaningful. In the park, there is a Kansai Telecasting Corporation which has a prismatic and circular prominent. From there, on the way, Tengo Nakenekish Arcade that is the old shopping district, was seen. The Nakazakiche area with small boutique shops and cafes had been experienced.
Today, there was a lesson about the ‘Vectorworks’ program And then, it was continued the project design. It had been to the Umeda Sky building that was in Osaka designed by Hiroshi Hara. The sunset was watched in the skyscraper Everything seems like a puzzle piece on the eyes, from these points. This is floating in the air city terrace. There are phosphor lights at night on the floor, it is a lighting element for this level
Above&middle: The study of the model Below: The view from Umeda Skybuilding
There was a woodwork class today. The carpenter teacher was explained about the woodwork basics information. There are many wood textures. It was cut wooden by using the cutting devices. The woodwork is designed with Japanese techniques And then it was studied on the design of the model at the studio.
Today it was studied at the faculty on the design of the membrane structure.
The membrane structure is created according to diagonal axes that are referenced according to the Koshien Stadium position which is a core for the Koshien Station. It can be seen that crowded people are coming from the stadium in the game time The people’s movements are commended as they are running from the ocean. So, the structural repetition is like a wave. There is a connection to the openings according to the direction of the diagonal axis. The concourse plan is designed with the creation of void spaces for people to use. And the entrance is also created for public use
All: The model study
In the evening, the riverside was experienced. And the use of these urban areas was observed. The side was divided as steps and roads like passing ways, cycleways, and green areas. So, the relation with water can be changed according to passengers and users.
There was a final jury of the design project. It was presented to the class. And in MWU, each student also ask a question or comment to the other students while in the jury. And after the jury, it was taken a goodbye photo with the Japanese friends at the studio.
Above: The river side
Middle&below: The final jury day
Above&below: The Golden Pavilion
GOLDEN PAVILLION
Location: Kyoto
In the morning, it had been to Kyoto to visit incredible temples. When it arrived at the Kyoto Station, it was taken the bus from there to the Golden Pavilion or Kinkakuji that has one of the most photogenic and iconic views and surrounding in Japan. The simplicity of its proportions, the magical reflections of its golden coating shimmering over a stunning pool, and the beauty of its natural scenery are worth seeing. It was impressive to discover the architecture, the pond, and the landscape It’s amazing to imagine that in this outstanding setting was previously filled only by rice fields. This pavilion was built between 1333-1573, considered the golden age of Zen culture. Kinkaku-Ji is a representative of MuromachiPe.
The design of the pavilion is an interesting example of geomancy, which refers to the organization of the built elements to optimize the flow of energy that derives from the environment. After walking a winding trail, the visitor arrives at the pond, which attempts to replicate a seascape dotted with islands. Multicolored leaf trees grow in the islands which shelter significant wildlife, especially insects and birds But the main function of the pond is host to Kinkaku-Ji, which seems to float in the middle of the water like a magic boat. The waters surrounding the building provide a nonsecular dimension, reflecting its structure and multiplying it to infinity. The Kinkaku-Ji is a three-story building, inspired by temples of China.
KINKAKU-JI TEMPLE
Location: Kyoto
Above&middle&below: The environment of Kinkaku-ji Temple
The Kinkaku-Ji has merged three different architectural styles The first level is built in the shinden style of the 11thcentury imperial aristocracy, the second level is in the buke style of the warrior aristocracy and the top level is in the Chinese zenshubutsudan style. Along with the temple, there are several buildings surrounded by carefully arranged gardens. There is also an interesting tea house, built on a hill It is a kind of representation simplicity of Zen architecture. The Japanese gardens are made to resemble nature, making it part of its architecture, or constructing them as part of a carefully crafted landscape, so perfect that it does not seem artificial. In other words, the Japanese landscaping techniques teach us to delight in the sublime beauty of simple things in life.
After it was continued to walk to the Ryoan-Ji Temple that is the site of Japan’s most famous rock garden. The site was converted into a Zen temple in 1450. As for the history of Ryoanji’s famous rock garden, the facts are less certain. The garden consists of a rectangular plot of pebbles surrounded by low earthen walls, with 15 rocks laid out in small groups on patches of moss. An interesting feature of the garden’s design is that from any vantage point at least one of the rocks is always hidden from the viewer. Along with its origins, the meaning of the garden is unclear. Some believe that the garden represents the common theme of a tiger carrying cubs across a pond or of islands in a sea, while others claim that the garden represents an abstract concept like infinity. Because the garden’s meaning has not been made explicit, it is up to each viewer to find the meaning for themselves. Besides the stone garden, there are some paintings on the sliding doors of its tatami rooms. Ryoanji’s temple grounds also include a relatively spacious park area with pond, located below the temple’s main buildings. The pond features a small shrine on one of its three little islands that can be accessed over a bridge.
Above&middle&below: The Ryoanji Temple
RYOAN-JI TEMPLE
Location: Kyoto
TENRYU-JI TEMPLE
Location: Kyoto
All: The Tenru-ji Temple
Tenryu-Ji Temple located in the Sagano district of Kyoto with the train. It was ranked first among the city’s five great Zen temples Tenryu-Ji was built in 1339 by the ruling shogun Ashikaga Takauji. The two important historic figures used to be allies until Takauji turned against the emperor in a struggle for supremacy over Japan. By building the temple, Takauji intended to appease the former emperor’s spirits. Tenryuji’s garden survived the centuries in its original form, with the time The beautiful landscape garden features a central pond surrounded by rocks, pine trees, and the forested Arashiyama mountains.
THE FUSHIMI INARI SHRINE
Location: Kyoto
The Fushimi Inari Shrine
And lastly, the Fushimi Inari Shrine was visited in Kyoto Fushimi Inari Shrine is an important Shinto shrine. It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari. Fushimi Inari is the most important of several thousands of shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. Fushimi Inari Shrine has ancient origins, predating the capital’s move to Kyoto in 794. At the very back of the shrine’s main grounds is the entrance to the torii gate covered hiking trail, which starts with two dense, parallel rows of gates thousands of torii gates.
All:
Today, it had taken the train to Kobe. The first technical visit was to the Yamamura House that was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1918 as the former residence of the Yamamura family. The House situated on a ridge overlooking the affluent city of Ashiya. Construction began in 1923 and was completed in 1924 under the direction of two of Wright’s disciples, Arata Endo and Makoto Minami It was later opened to the public under its new name, the Yodoko Guest House. Wright created the philosophy of ‘organic architecture’, which maintains that a building should develop out of its natural surroundings. When it is looked at the relation of the house’s composition and landscape.
YAMAMURA HOUSE
Location: Kobe
Above&below: The Yamamura House
Upon entering the house one is presented with several features unique to Wright’s design style. Mahogany framework and decorative light fixtures accent the wide staircase, which rises in a series of left turns to the second floor. To the right of the landing an intentionally narrow stone corridor leads to a spacious salon. This transition between two spaces of opposing volumes is
intensified further by the raised salon ceiling Here an abundance of natural light is provided by two symmetrical windows on the east and west walls; wide planes of glass with built-in couches beneath invite the visitor to sit and enjoy views of both the interior and exterior. Inscribed just below the raised ceiling is a series of small mahogany ventilation doors with matching shelves and cabinets built in below.
To approach the Yamamura House the visitor ascends along driveway providing a view of the entire length of the house. The structure itself, which is clad in softly textured Oyaishi stone is composed of a rigid and symmetrical series of steps that ascend the sloping landscape. Wright was careful to limit each section of the house’s design to a maximum height of two floors, thus maintaining his philosophy that architecture should develop out of its natural surroundings.
Continuing up the driveway one arrives at the porch Open to both the east and west, it's wide rectangular form delights the visitor with a beautifully framed view of the landscape beyond. Inside the porch and adjacent to the main entrance sits a large stone flower bowl, its content being fed by a stone pillar which leads rainwater down from the rooftop. Here again, Wright reiterates his concept of “organic architecture” by imitating the flow of a mountain stream.
Above&below:
The Yamamura House
Decorative doors on the south wall open out to a spacious balcony with spectacular views of mountains and sea. But the focal point of the salon is clearly the massive Oyaishi stone fireplace, which constitutes the north wall. The Japanese rooms, guest rooms, and bathrooms are located on the third floor and accessed by a short flight of stairs. The long entry corridor connecting these rooms is enclosed by floor to ceiling windows on the west exterior wall. In the afternoon natural light streams into the corridor, casting delicate shadows of leaf-like patterns across the floor through decorative copper window plates. This same motif is repeated on other windows, doors, and door transoms throughout the house, blurring the distinction between exterior and interior. While the vast majority of the structure is reinforced concrete, the Japanese rooms feature traditional clay walls on the west side, as well as tatami (straw mat) flooring. Wright’s assistants, Arata Endo and Makoto Minami, oversaw the construction of these rooms and were careful to create a balanced dialog between traditional Japanese home design and the architect’s western “organic” style. In contrast to the Japanese designs on the third
floor, the fourth-floor dining room is very typical of Wright’s rigid and symmetrical style. Mahogany wall decorations, brass fixtures, and triangular ventilation windows adorn the walls and ceiling. The vaulted ceiling adds a sense of spaciousness to the feeling of weighted permanence imposed by the Oyaishi stone fireplace. To the south, ornate
doors lead to an elongated balcony that provides spectacular views of the decorative roof eaves, trapezoid-shaped chimney, sea, sky, and distant cityscape.
Above&below:
The Yamamura House
ROSE GARDEN
Architect: Tadao Ando
Location: Kobe
After, there it was moved to an area that accommodates a lot of Tadao Ando’s buildings. The Kobe Rose Garden is the building constructed with red brick in 1977
Above&below: The Rose Garden
Wall Avenue was designed by the architect Tadao Ando in 1989 There is an art gallery in the building. It was open to the public so each person can go and enjoy the space. Again Ando in this building was created open stairs that were connected So, the materiality of the concrete all surrounds the building. But it felt like as usual as if it would not know who was the architect, it is easy to guess. The circulation is a successive element
WALL AVENUE
Architect: Tadao Ando
Location: Kobe
All: The Wall Avenue
KITANO ALLEY
Architect: Tadao Ando
Location: Kobe
The Kitano Alley is also designed by the architect Tadao Ando. Ina this the building, the concrete, and red brick are used materials.
Above&below: The Kitano Alley
The Wall Step is also by Tadao Ando Here again concrete is the main material that Ando uses. And there is an open courtyard, this building also welcomes people with open surroundings like the stairs. Fix 213 is also a the complex that was designed by the architect Tadao Ando
WALL STEP FIX 213
Architect: Tadao Ando
Location: Kobe
Above&Left: The Wall Step
Below: The Fix 213
Rin’s Gallery designed by the Tadao Ando The concrete and red bricks are together in harmony. Kaigan Building is a unique with its main idea. The walls were from the old times, these were kept the in the renovation process. The architect Frank Gehry was designed the Fish Dance that is the sculptural, iconographic representation of the city of Kobe This huge fish is in a crappy docks neighborhood. The fish, the enormous sculpture is empty and clad with copper mesh, so that it is transparent or glimmers in the sun.
Below&middle right: The Rin's Gallery Above middle&below right: The Kaigan Building Gallery Above left&below left: The Fish Dance
Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art that is designed by the architect Tadao Ando. The architect preferred a different language that transmits an image of security, strength, and durability, contrasting the devastating visualities of the disaster. The approach to the building from the city can be provided by a footbridge The building shows a more opaque face towards the city. Ando provides a pedestrian scale through a groove and a rough stone arch, contrasting with the polished dark volume that forms the rest of the building. Also, contrasts with the building massiveness, the other end of the boxes are visually opened to the seascape, using generous windows. In turn, the roof extends with wide eaves, creating a terrace with gardens, and stairs, spreading into the bay.
HYOGO PREFECTURAL MUSEUM
Architect: Tadao Ando
Above&below: The Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art
Location: Kobe
The museum rests on a white polished granite platform upon the three glass boxes arranged in parallel, each of which encloses a concrete block. The space between the two box volumes of glass and concrete occupies by a surrounding gallery that turns allows the enjoyment of landscape views. One of them, the wing of the gallery, are more separated than the others, leading to a passage running through the museum and providing a visual and physical connection between the Kobe mountains and the sea. This street is crossed by bridges and suspended plazas, allowing communication between the different components of the museum building. In the middle of this street, is a light well, which houses a set of spiral staircases. The interior of the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Modern Art is remarkably minimalist.
Above&below: The Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art
The museum rests on a white polished granite platform upon the three glass boxes arranged in parallel, each of which encloses a concrete block. The space between the two box volumes of glass and concrete occupies by a
surrounding gallery that turns allows the enjoyment of landscape views. One of them, the wing of the gallery, are more separated than the others, leading to a passage running through the museum and providing a visual and physical connection between the Kobe mountains and the sea. This street is crossed by bridges and suspended plazas, allowing communication between the different components of the museum building. In the middle of this street, is a light well, which houses a set of spiral staircases. The interior of the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Modern Art is remarkably minimalist.
Today, early in the morning, it was taken the train to ShinOsaka to take Shinkansen for Tokyo. After Shinkansen road with three hours, it was been to Tokyo. The beginning visit was to the Omotesando Hills in Shibuya-ku Tokyo These residential and commercial complex was designed by the well-known Japanese architect Tadao Ando. The building on vestiges of the apartments which had been built as a reconstruction project following the Great Kanto Earthquake in the 1920 s. The most distinctive architectural circulation element is the ramp that surrounds all the floors. In front of the building is a grove of a Japanese tree zelkova. So,
Ando’s proposal for the urban context tried to reduce its impact on the townscape by controlling the height of the building in order to not exceed the height of the trees. The complex has two entrances. The main access is defined by a diagonal cut that behaves like a small square. The concept of the building is really simple. In a triangular plot, a ramp 700 m long, called Spiral Slope ascends 6 levels, around a large atrium of monumental proportions, naturally lit by a skylight. In this way, people enjoy a panoramic visual contact with all the shops At one end, a lift allows a quick connection between the different levels. At the base of the atrium,
there is a staircase that becomes wider as it goes deeper and can be used as an amphitheater. This public space, whose texture is composed of various shades of gray.
Left above: The Shinkansen Left below&right above&below: The Ometasando Hills
OMOTESANDO HILLS
Architect: Tadao Ando
Location: Tokyo
And then it was continued to Tokyu Plaza designed by the architect of Hiroshi Nakawa. It was shining with its triangular-shaped mirrors Harajuku is a district busy with young people dressed in a costume like fashion known as cute. Walked to the Kenzo Tange Yoyogi Olympic Stadium that is designed by the well-known Japanese architect Kenzo Tange. The complex consists of twobuildings, and their structures as well as the innovation of their design, by using high technology in a country continuous shake by strong winds and earthquakes. The two gyms are in a landscaped platform. In fact, despite their monumental size, it gives the impression that the roofs are born the park itself,
emphasizing its relationship with the surrounding environment. The elegant roof, suspended by two large steel cables, of the two gyms, uses a contemporary language and a similar structural logic. They are. Both axes arranged in an east-west, which is also the predominant direction of the plot Space organized
symmetrically, distributing the stands to the north and south, emphasizing the eastwest direction in both the roof and the location of the entrances.
Below left: The Tokyu Plaza
Below right: Harajuku
Above: The Yoyogi Olympic Stadium
The structural concept based on the main spine that consists of two steel cables anchored to two large slabs of concrete on either end of the building and two structural towers. Cables describe a parabolic curve from which smaller wires placed as perpendicular, to form a tentlike roof. The roof over stands, having a different curvature from that of the cables generate an elegant and graceful roofing structure, whose surface, concave, and convex at the same time, is always different from any viewed angle. Both accesses preceded by concourses or squares, which distinguished from the rest of the park by a small atrium. Another detail that provides visual lightness to the structure is the graceful cantilevers containing the stands that give the impression that the building would levitate. These stands also accommodate the rhythmically arranged openings The rhythm applied at the entrances, where the Vshaped the metal structure of different sizes is displayed dynamically. Near the stadium, Yoyogi Park is there with a lot of trees and public surroundings So, it had been a chance to experience the environment in the park.
All: The Yoyogi Olympic Stadium
Again back to the Omotesando Shibuya-ku, the Gyre Building designed by MRDV in 2007, was experienced. The proposal based on MRDV is a set of stacked boxes that rotate around its vertical axis. The building consists of three basements and six levels. Each of these six floors is rotated around the central core, giving the general impression of an eddy, a gyre. This rotation generates spaces, which far from being residual utilized as terraces. This concept allows the architects to confer a certain lightness to the massive volumes that make up the composition. The shops arranged around a large central space that contains the stairs, allowing light to access through a skylight It is also the structural core of the building. Gyre is not just another commercial building that presents itself to the world as a glamorous, but
inside is introverted and lacks communication. MVRDV’s proposal is based on movement, includes the pedestrian, involves the urban space into the building, and suggests an interior space that is as attractive as the facade.
And next, the Christian Dior Building designed by SANAA in 2004, was visited. The proposal for Dior by SANAA is minimalist and simple, as many of other works by this office. It’s a great prism of glass and metal, austere, and without ornamentation. However, it is based on a conceptual “skin”, which becomes an element that allows a different degree of visual interaction with the interior of the building. To achieve this result, a , translucent acrylic coating is used, placed behind the glass. The opacity of acrylics is different at all levels, so the lighting effects can be seen from outside also varies, both
GYRE BUILDING DIOR BUILDING
Above: The Gyre Buildin
Below: The Dior Building
during the day and especially at night, when the building is bright and wearing thin, lightweight clothing. The acrylic curtain also allows a separation between the outside and the interior.
Then, the Tod’s Omotesando that is an Italian shoe and handbag store, designed by Toyo Ito in 2004. The plan is L shaped, but it is not readable inside. The surface is covered by concrete crisscrosses and its span 10-15 meters without any internal columns According to Ito’s words, the design influenced by the rational structure of a treelike thinner and more numerous as they go up. Inspired by the Omotesando grove and the complicated geometry of its branches and trunks, the logic of its structure based on the representation of 9 trees, whose silhouette folds along the perimeter of L-shape to form the facade of the building. Following the structural logic of botany, the columns are wider at the base of the building and become more slender as they gain altitude, and also branch off in a large number of structural elements. The circulation to the offices of the top is differentiated and soberer than the one in the commercial areas. Therefore, the stairs located at the back on the first floor, inviting people to walk along with the store From the second level, Ito adds another set of stairs at the other ends to facilitate the movement of customers.
Above: The Tod's Buildingthe Hugo Below: Boss Building
TODS BUILDING HUGO BOSS BUILDING
Near the Tod’s Omotesando, there is the Hugo Boss Building designed by the architect Norihiko Pan in 2013, was seen. The design constructed with a huge column concrete hybrid called a clock of the sand in some papers.
After a little walkway, it arrived at the Spiral Building designed by Fumihiko Maki in 1985. The Spiral Building that is the fusion of art and life, has styles of eclecticism and constructivism. The building functions as a commercial. The architect calls his collage style design a representative of the chaos of the city. In the building, there is a combination of overlap. When entered into the inside, you firstly see a cafe And then, it is continued, the spiral ramp welcomes people. On the upper floor, there is a shop. In front of the shop, near the street side, some chairs turned to the street view These chairs served for the public found so different approaches for taking street atmosphere to inside like a transmission. The materiality is dominant in the design, the atmosphere of the building sharply gives a modernist impression. Comme des Garces Perfume is a fashion house that was by Rei Kawakubo Transparency and translucency based on its conceptual design idea.
SPIRAL BUILDING COMME DES GARCES PERFUME
Above: The Spiral Building Below: The Comme des Garces Perfume
The next building was the Prada Aoyama Building that was designed by Herzog & de Meuron in Minami-Aoyama, in 2003. The volume consists of a diamond grid made of metal pipes, with openings clad with glass panels that are in a form like concave, convex or flat, some transparent, others translucent, giving texture and variety to the surface. This frame defines the shape of the openings and behaves like an element that unifies the irregular and gently angled shape of the building. And also, it was impressive that the entrance of the building also has the same angled shape language. The prismatic grid has also structural purposes, behaving like a flexible mesh. The structural shell is transparent that creates an interior as fluid. The seven floors seem to flow to each other. It must be magical with lighting at night. The facade can feel like it is walking on the facade of the building. And, it can be related to the scale of human with this grid style. The inside of the building is so pure with a white color scheme and carpet. The slabs of the floors can be seen out, this visibility was not perfectly suited for the design according to my observations.
PRADA AOYAMA BUILDING
Above&below: Prada Aoyama Building
FROM 1ST BUILDING
COLLEZIONE BUILDING NEZU MUSEUM
And after a little walkway, The From 1st Building has a commercial facility This building has a representation of deconstructivism. The design consists of irregular rectangular forms. There is a courtyard that was surrounded by the walkways from the base floor to the top floor. The next building was Collezione Ando that was designed by Tadao Ando. This building that has an interlocked rectangular volume and a cylinder, is a commercial complex in Minami-Aoyama district of Tokyo. The spatial organization of the building was problematic, the spatial composition expends below ground. And then cross the road, the Nezu Museum was designed by Kengo Kuma in 2009. It couldn’t visit the inside of the museum due to the closed. The concept of design has written on the paper as a balance between past present and future. There is a big roof to protect architecture from sunlight and introduce outdoor air into the spaces. At night, the Ikebukuro district experienced. It is an area with surrounded a lot of shops and dining spaces It is famous with the cross passing road.
Above: The From 1st Building
Middle: The Collezione Building
Below: The Nezu Museum
In the early in the morning, it was moved with the train to the NA House that was built by special Japanese Architect Sou Fujimoto in 2004. It is a private house that consists of different levels with rectangular directions. The building with a white-colored structure is like a frame of the trees. And then, the next one was Za Koenji Public Theatre that was designed by Toyo Ito. Za Koenji that is a theater for contemporary performing arts located near Koenji Station in a residential area of relatively low density. The steel-coated structure has six levels and acquired a peculiar shape on its roof, similar to a circus tent. The facade recedes from the profile of the street to create a reception area by way of an atrium. Upon entering, the bright circular spot theme appears not only on the walls, but projected on the floor, recalling the effect of a spotlight on the stage. After passing the reception we found the stairs, reminiscent of those of Art Nouveau Style. The staircase is worked like a colorful ribbon wrapped around a central space of curve geometry and invites people to enjoy the time in there.
NA HOUSE ZA KOENJI THEATRE
It was continued by train to the Odaiba that is an island connected with the railway. The Fuji TV Building that was designed by Kenzo Tange was the first building on the island that seen. The building is a metabolism reproduction by own selves. With its enormous scale, people feel nonexistence in front of the building. Then, we visit the Miraikan Science Museum. It was first experienced in the Pokemon Center. It was found creative and innovative for both children and adults. There is a big sphere of the world called ‘Geocosmos’. The robot’s world consists of ‘Kodomoroid’, ‘Android’, and ‘Paro’.
And the Asimo was given a show to the visitors. The others, InternationalSpace Station, SHINKAI 6500, and HAYABUSA Next, it had been to the Venusfort that was a shopping mall from 18 century the south European town style. It can felt the fantastic sky with blue. There are three colors used for the logo and floor planning, blue for the sky, pink for traditional Venus Fort and green for the earth. It is hard to describe how the impression was. When you inside the building, like felt that you are walking in Italy streets. It was a kind of an odd situation due to them being Japan. And then, there was an exhibition of old cars from the western world
Above: The Fuji TV Building Middle: The Miraikan Science Museum Above: The Venusfort
Thus, the Yurikamome monorail train had experienced, like you are on a flight. The Panasonic Center, the beauty of arithmetic and mathematics hidden in nature with the center, makes you wonder about natural science in daily life The Panasonic Center enables people to experience the fascination of science and mathematics. So, there are lots of examples of technology. And its relatives as examples of the Green Lab and the Smart AV Life. The RiSuPia installation was amazing with the Magical Performance Center and Discovery Field.
The next building was the Tokyo Big Sight that consists of three parts; the west wing, the conference tower, and the east wing. The approach was to design a huge open public space. For entrance, it is walked under the structure of the building The building constructed with a steel frame with reinforced concrete and glass titanium panels. There is a terrace that offers you a large scale harbor view.
TOKYO BIG SIGHT PANASONIC CENTER
Above: The Panasonic Center
Left: The Tokyo Big Sight
THE INTERNATIONAL LIBRARY OF CHILDRENS LITERATURE
Above&below: The International Library of Childrens Literature
Today, it was started by the International Library of Children’s Literature that had renovated design was done by Tadao Ando. The steel framework with brick cladding is the style of most buildings constructed during the Meiji Era called. This building’s seismic isolation system was special, according to the research it can be explained like few sentences: The first step in the remodeling of the building and its adaptation to meet the safety standards of the Japanese legislation was an evaluation of the structural characteristics of the ancient monument. The computerized study showed deficiencies in several places, and according to that, a comprehensive and novel structural reinforcement was carried out. Since a traditional reinforcement would have meant a significant change in both internal and external formal characteristics of the building, it was preferred to isolate the building from the ground by a series of dumpers, so that seismic waves would not affect the building itself.
The seismic isolation system of the library consisted of removing the brick basement, levitate the building with vibration lead dampers with laminated rubber isolators. The proposal included glazed elements, without columns, to avoid any disruption and to achieve maximum integration with the historic building. Ando is based on two glass bars, a rotated 1-story one and a 3-story block, parallel to the building. The rotated volume appears on the other side of the building, defining a small but elegant, warm and transparent metal and glass cafeteria. However, the major involvement of Ando is given in the rear of the building, where a large screen integrates the corridors of the library and affords an integral unity while maintaining full transparency to reveal the original monument. This screen is flanked by a concrete box containing the elevators. Then continued with Ueno Park that was the first park that is opened the public with west style. Ueno Park is an important sociocultural space, one of the most important green areas of Tokyo, famous for its cherry trees, a lotus pond, and mandarin ducks. It also houses a zoo, art galleries, temples, and major museums.
THE WESTERN ART MUSEUM
And also, there is a National Museum of Western Art by Le Corbusier and it had been there. Le Corbusier’s design for the Main Building in 1959, presents a nexus of his theories and systems that he pursued as the basis for architecture for a new era. These concepts include his Maison Dom-Ino architectural concept in which pillars, floors, stairs, and other simple constructs become basic units of five elements for the new architecture. At the entrance of the design, the facade stones were created with the golden ratio. The entrance of the exhibition space, there is a ramp welcomes to slowdown the people. The ceilings height changeable according to space The natural light inside the building was not enough, and so the Floor lighting was improved. The building was on free-standing columns. The water gutter can be seen
inside the building. The rhythmic order was created in harmony with the modular flooring and horizontal pattern and terrace. After the exhibition, it had been the ground floor of the museum to understand the Seismic isolation that is for retrofitting which isolates a building from the ground to minimize the direct effect of quakes to buildings. The museum retrofitted by seismic isolation in 1996-1998. In the case of the museum, the seismic isolator was set up beneath the foundation to make the whole building include the basement floors more quake-resistant. In the case of the ILCL, for the sake of safety, the seismic isolator was installed on the first basement floor to make only the above-ground floors seismically isolated. This is the first case in Japan to adopt seismic isolation in Below: The Western Art Museum
retrofitting a building with brick bearing walls. According to the analysis, the steps for ILCL were like that; the first floor was removed, the straining sills of reinforced concrete set up to sandwich in and tighten up the brick walls until the sills and walls become unified. And, jacks underneath the straining sills were set up to support the allout weight of the building. Next, the part of brick walls was removed below the sills and the brick foundation and the new footing beams of reinforced concrete was established below. Then, the seismic isolators were installed between the building and footing beams when jacking up the building a computer console was used Tokyo emphasis is on the interior spaces such a underground malls, atriums and interstices between tall buildings.
NAKEGIN TOWER
After there, the Nagakain Capsule located in Ginza, a shopping area in the heart of Tokyo, was seen. Kurokawa's s project consisted of two towers housing the capsules, that could be growing organically according to future needs, according to Metabolist principles. The buildings consisted of two components: a megastructure of reinforced concrete containing the elevators, stairs as well as bridges that interconnect to other buildings, and the capsules, which would anchor the structure in just 4 points for easy replacement every 25 years Each capsule measures
A 2.3 x 3.8 x 2.1 m and it was built with lightweight steel panels. The units Were prefabricated and then assembled in situ. After the Nakagin Tower was completed, Kurokawa thought this would be the beginning of a new era in architecture. However, with the advent of new ideas, particularly Postmodernism, Metabolist ideas quickly lost their momentum The ground floor of the building was unless fail, the function of it as a market.
Above&below:
The Nakagin Tower
Ginza Street is like an open museum with lots of architectural important building. The first visit was to the Nicholas G.Hayek Center designed by Shigeru Ban in 2007. The ground floor atrium is continuous with the street and so, the entrance area blurs between retail and public space. There is one of the distinctive elements of the design that is a vertical garden. The other of the distinctive elements of design, each shop accessed from the ground floor atrium by a dedicated elevator. The building was organized as a stack of three-and four-story volumes, each with its retractable shutters. The composed of movable parts that work together like a finely crafted Swiss watch with the use of glass shutter technology.
The Maison Herbes Building that was designed by Renzo Piano in 2001, was observed from the street. Piano's challenge was to create an elegant building and also at the same time innovate. The glass screen looks like skin, slightly separated from the building by a metal structure that protrudes from the concrete slabs on each floor. Inside the skin there is also a metal frame that holds the glass blocks and gives them flexibility in case of earthquakes, behaving like a skeleton with moving joints that allows a controlled
displacement and deformation of the wall, preventing the collapse of the blocks glass. An interesting detail can be observed in the corner since special curved blocks were created to give continuity to the skin effect. The skin also has an acoustic effect, providing internal insulation from the frenetic street noise outside the building. The De Beers Ginza Building that was designed by Jun Mitsui in Chou-Ku, 2008, has curving steel and glass facade with fluid flexible form. The grid pattern arranged horizontally to accentuate the play of light off the rolling surfaces. Its surface shimmies up, rising with vibrant curves among a sea of regular boxlike buildings, embodying variant of the contemporary trend toward ‘facade texture’. It can be sensed as the beauty of the female silhouette. This curtain wall is composed of stainless steel bars that descend vertically as ribbons, crossed by horizontal tabs. This arrangement allows the reflection of light in a peculiar way, which changes as the hours' pass. To locate the entrance in a subtle but hierarchical way, the steel frame was interrupted to accommodate a white cube. Towards the minor street, the facade is orthogonal.
Above: The Nicholas G Hayek Center Below: The De Beers Ginza Building Middle: The Maison Herbes Building
The Mikimoto Building with pink pearl irregularity designed by Toyo Ito. The building of apparent simplicity comprises a prism perforated by a series of irregular windows, like Swiss cheese, apparently arranged at random. However, since some of these are placed in the corners and as we look closely at the fine finish of the facade, is evident that a much more sophisticated construction system was used. The concept is based on the building is held by its facade, leaving the internal spaces column-free. The shape of the windows is part of an elaborate geometry of triangles and squares, which resemble a fractal composition. Ito opted for a mixed system of metal plates and concrete. Steel plates of 1.2 cm were prepared and fixed by a web of studs to maintain a uniform thickness of 20 cm, and then concrete was poured between them. The plates were transported and assembled on site. The Dior with a white perforated screen that was designed by Kumiko Inui in 2004, had been experienced. This is a double skin that wraps the building, made of white metal perforated in different patterns, creating an effect of texture and depth which, despite the hardness of the material, affords to give lightness to the facade. Gucci which is designed by James Carpenter Architect are constructed with using the aluminum mesh prismatic panels.
Below right: The Gucci
Building Below left: The Dior
Building
Above: The Mikimoto
Building
And lastly, it had been to the Tokyo International Forum that was the largest congress center of Japan designed by Rafael Vinoly in high tech style. The building was constructed with the steel frame mega truss, the laminated glass curtain wall On the entrance level, there is a public space with lots of Zelkova trees. The design was a mimic wooden frame of a ship. Two huge columns were supported to the roof An enormous atrium spaced filled with natural light.
Above&below: The Tokyo International Forum
The Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art had been visited again today. After, the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Memorial: Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution, was visited. There was a theater that was showing the hit at 5.46 Awaji Earthquake is portrayed using sound and dramatic images on the big screen. It was experienced in the Seismic Experience Stage how the earthquake felt is. On the Road to Discovery, the process of disaster recovery in personal lives and communities were portrayed in dioramas. On the Memories Corner Section, was exhibited the related materials along with the stories of those who donated the materials. And the streets just after the Earthquake was shown by the models.
GREAT HANSHINAWAJI EARTHQUAKE MEMORIAL
Above&below: The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Memorial
And then, it had been taken the train to Nara that was the first capital of Japan, from 12.30 pm until 1.50 pm. In Nara City, the focus is generally on individual buildings. When it arrived there, it was moved to the Nara Centennial Hall was designed by Arata Isozaki. The proposed scheme was an ellipse in the plan, with the long axis parallel to the ancient north-south axis of Nara. The exterior cladding is in newly-produced tiles to create continuity with the temples in Nara The Centennial Hall consists of a Convention Hall, a Concert hall, and auxiliary rooms. When a boat is turned upside down, so it comes to the structure of the building The
building was constructed with a ferroconcrete and steel frame. Interstices in the netlike ceiling are used for absorbing sounds and installing illumination Firstly, the main hall that has movable seats for the audience created a tricky situation. The architect represents the movable seats as an imaginary stage But it was hard to imagine the time when the seats are moved. And then the Harmony Hall with a glass box that the effect of echo is considered, was impressive.
Above&below: The Nara Centennial Hall
NARA CENTENNIAL HALL
Above&below: The Nara Centennial Hall
After continuing by bus, we came to a park with a large number of deers deemed to be the messenger of the gods. The deers in Nara are like people on the streets. The main hall walked to the Todaiji Temple, the largest wooden building in the world Built on a slopy landscape, the Todaiji temple was founded 1300 years ago but was destroyed several times by fire. In Nara, temples are not only a place where ceremonies are held but also a school where people learn and discuss Buddhism. There is Giant Buddha that is called ‘Daibutsu’. The religious responsibilities are like
praying to a Buddhist statue, and listening to a Buddhist sutra and using incense and light. There was a hole in the wooden column, if someone passes through it, people will get rid of all sins. And, it was experienced and succeeded.
Below: The Todaiji Temple
Today, it was last visited Osaka. In Osaka, the bridges do not just allow people and vehicles to cross from one side of a river to the other. They also support city functions by conveying lifelines such as water, gas, power, and telephone lines The architectural studio building details are surveyed. And it had been to the goodbye ceremony that was held by the MWU.
According to my personal experiences in Japan with the 6th ICSA Program that was held on 06/2015 - 08/2015, this document was written. All photos credict to Gülbahar Emir.
