Network Restores Traditional Japanese Houses

The Old Japanese Houses Reconstruction Network, working to revive Japanese cultural traditions that have been passed from generation to generation, conducts renovations, additions, dismantling and relocations of traditional Japanese houses. The network's aim is to preserve the country's architectural heritage for future generations.

Since 1980 the network has been restoring houses built at the end of the Edo period (1603 to 1867), making the most of traditional approaches to air flow, light, and greenery, while using traditional materials, form, and color. The network has worked not only on houses but also on kindergartens, larger buildings, and shops.

Kenichi Hirai, an architect of this network, says, "Modern building designs favor economic efficiency and convenience, but they don't have the vitality that comes from wood that has withstood severe environmental conditions and protected people for generations, or the warmth of wood, which ages well even if it is scratched or unpolished."

The average life of a modern Japanese house is only about 25 years, half or a third the life of houses in England or the United States. As a result, a large amount of resources are required for new building materials, while the waste generated from demolition of old houses creates serious problems in Japan.

Under these circumstances, the number of the people who want to restore centuries-old houses for further use has been increasing recently. Thus, this network plays a unique role in connecting the people interested in conserving Japan's architectural heritage with owners who face challenges in maintaining their old houses due to difficulties of upkeep, or inheritance issues.




Posted: 2004/01/10 03:14:59 PM
Japanese version