There's something irresistible about traditional Japanese architecture when I feel anxious and am trying to relax. One of my calmest experiences with Japanese architecture occurred in 2007 when my brother and I visited Kyoto's Daitokuji Temple complex during the New Year's break. Established in 1329 and made up of 24 sub-temples, we hit the day of our visit nearly perfect (in some ways). Pouring rain and frigid cold, at least the holidays kept visitors away and downpour traffic noise to a minimum. The result was a shiny and hyper-saturated environment that shared much in common with travelling back in time. Stately and meditative temples and gardens stood under an ancient canopy of cedar, maple and cherry trees. Fully illustrating and narrating the characteristics of traditional architecture of Japan deserves a much bigger effort someday to do it justice, but many readers might be seeking the same sort of reprieve from the constant daily news this travel storey represents. In that vein, the following piece about the relaxing architecture of Asia focuses on six contemporary projects sure to move, inspire and calm.
MAYU Architects, 2015.
The simplicity of bare concrete and primarily white fixtures might overshadow the genius spatial organization of this church in Taiwan. Many projects will never have clients daring enough support this type of radical building programme, even if the end result succeeds on many levels. Worshipping a creative God through creativity is something we should all be able to get behind regardless of beliefs. The interior is calmed by the use of a perforated aluminum facade on the exterior, creating an atmosphere of soft light and contemplation inside. The sparse interior focusing visitors' attention on the activities within. Details are well executed, especially the stairs which connect the levels through a light filled column beside the sanctuary. The overall form of the building is nearly cubular and knits itself into the fabric of the surrounding community extremely well.
WOHA, 2016.
It's not healthy to assume we can only relax in remote natural settings. That would limit most people to only feeling truly relaxed a couple times a year. A better approach is to bring that relaxing atmosphere to the city. To that end, hotels – filled with tightly wound tourists after their long flight in a steel tube – especially need to invite guests to relax through the built environment. The Oasia Hotel in Singapore hits all those points. Adding to the city's reputation for arts and culture, it's a great looking building to see down the block. The interior design of the rooms is above average but staying with the building's big ideas, it's roof top patio sets a high bar to follow. It looks like it would be a very relaxing place to sit and have a drink.
West-line studio 2004.
This project had a very interesting design development process which I think accounts for its excellent relationship to the site. The team first constructed a 1 to 1 scale bamboo model to develop the main structural elements of the design. The reason for this unorthodox method was a lack of construction skills in the region. This allowed everyone on the project to agree on and see what the final structure would be before the concrete was poured into the bamboo model. The development of the interior spaces and travel paths in this project when studied shows real genius. One really has to credit the open mindedness of the owners for executing such a radically creative design.
Bamboo Gateway, China.
West-line studio, 2008.
Gates have a long history in Asia. Having lived overseas, I've come to love their meaning and symbolic application in all entrances. This gate for a national park in China shows a modern interpretation of one by West-line Studio. The shape of the building when viewed from above reveals this sort of unique four-point organic shape, but it's the verticality of the design activating the surrounding bamboo that visitors remember. Bamboo is also the main structural support for the gate. The gate appears wonderfully welcoming and seems to be at peace in the pond as the seasons change around it. It's easy to imagine heading out from this point with family or friends to have an adventure in the sea of bamboo.
Ribbon Chapel, Hiroshima, Japan.
Hiroshi Nakamura and NAP Architects, 2013.
The Ribbon Chapel in Hiroshima, Japan, is a great achievement for architect Hiroshi Nakamura. The from is restrained enough to capture some of the stillness and balance found in classical Japanese architecture, however, at the same time, there is a great dynamic motion to the structure. One that draws the visitor's eye even at a distance. The building photographs very well at sunset. The spiral, though sharing so many visual characteristics with a delicate ribbon, houses a staircase visitors can take to the area's main lookout point toward the bay and more mountains beyond.
IDMM Architects, 2016.
The architects write the sort of random and faceted nature of these holiday apartments are to allow the structure to have many different relationships with the surrounding nature. Completed in 2016 by IDDM Architects, by all accounts these are very high-end units. A minimalist-style should always be complemented by extra focus on materials and build quality, which are much more likely to be noticed in a minimal environment. The quality of the structure shows everywhere. For example, the edges of concrete are very cleanly executed and glazing first-rate. Returning to the exterior, all the different angles achieved in this building reveal a strong contrast with mainstream architecture for sure, but also depth and meaning. Someone really cared about placing these pieces. Not every structure can claim that care in design leads to a deeper meaning for a building.
The architects write the sort of random and faceted nature of these holiday apartments are to allow the structure to have many different relationships with the surrounding nature. Completed in 2016 by IDDM Architects, by all accounts these are very high-end units. A minimalist-style should always be complemented by extra focus on materials and build quality, which are much more likely to be noticed in a minimal environment. The quality of the structure shows everywhere. For example, the edges of concrete are very cleanly executed and glazing first-rate. Returning to the exterior, all the different angles achieved in this building reveal a strong contrast with mainstream architecture for sure, but also depth and meaning. Someone really cared about placing these pieces. Not every structure can claim that care in design leads to a deeper meaning for a building.
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