Kintsukuroi : natural lighting, tectonics and materiality

Abstract

This project is an investigation of Japanese architectural characteristics and the ability to adapt them to the New Zealand context. The characteristics have been chosen due to their universal applications. They, in some degree, appear in all architectural projects. The three characteristics selected are natural lighting, tectonics and materiality.

The project focuses on the investigation of the Japanese architecture in relation to the three selected characteristics, and the concepts and origins which lead to the development of the architectural applications. Understanding the origins and intent of specific Japanese design characteristics, it is possible to successfully adapt them into another culture for the enrichment of architectural design.

The project uses the design of a ceramics museum as a way to demonstrate one possible architectural outcome using the characteristics found in Japanese architecture in New Zealand. The use of various design iterations are used to gain an understanding of the architectural applications of the Japanese characteristics. The design of the ceramics museum is used to develop adaptive techniques of the Japanese characteristics which relate to a New Zealand site.

Research question: How can the study of Japanese architecture be used to develop new concepts and enrich architectural design in Aotearoa, New Zealand?