Learning from Tokyo + Excursion

Excursions have always been an important and precious part of the architectural education. They allow to experience and process the different topics of architecture in a very inspiring way. Conclusions from the abstract analytical research about buildings can be compared with observations on the site and met with information from different protagonists of the projects. There are architects who confess that their enthusiasm for their discipline was mainly influenced by field trips during their study times.

Taking this special value into consideration Tokyo is selected as destination for our excursion in the summer semester. The capital of Japan has developed as one of the inspiring places for contemporary architecture over the last decades. From small scale building interventions to urban transformations many projects are observed with great interest and curiosity worldwide.

However Tokyo has much more to offer. The Japanese metropolis looks back on a history with a strong focus on building culture with local and global references. Residents as well as visitors enjoy the urban atmosphere and aesthetic power of the city life with traditional and modern influences in one of the most densely populated metropolitan areas in the world.

In this course we will train different analyzing techniques by investigating building projects from architects like Toyo Ito, Kengo Kuma, Kazuyo Sejima, Ryue Nishizawa, Kenzo Tange and Sou Fujimoto with regard to their role model. Most importantly we intend to visit and discuss these projects as part of an excursion.

First meeting and introduction: Thursday, 21st march 2024, 11:45 am, room 208