Architectural Association School of Architecture (AA), in collaboration with Takenaka Corporation and Takenaka Carpentary Tools Museum, are calling for applications for a workshop in Osaka which will be held on March 13th-24th, 2019.

For Takenaka Corporation – which is engaged in a wide variety of design and construction projects, from traditional buildings to offices and houses – "the craft of carpentry" is the foundation of its 400-year history.

Wood crafting techniques and tools have been handed down for generations in Japan, where wooden buildings and parts hold deep meaning. It is often thought that technology will soon supersede human labour. However, there are many metaphysical concepts that machines can’t learn. Carpenters have advanced techniques and knowledge about traditional buildings, wooden design and construction, while the younger generation has experience and knowledge concerning robots, advanced fabrication technology and the virtual world. Takenaka Corporation, as Japan's leading design and construction company, seeks to create a dawn of new building techniques by joining these two generations.

Tutors for the workshop

In this workshop, we will study the domains of both the traditional and cutting edge (through lectures and model creation, as well as practical wood manufacturing workshops), with the cooperation of the Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum, and visit real-life examples of traditional architecture (the Tōdai-ji Temple, the Hōryū-ji temple, and others). After gaining a good understanding of historical values, we will design and construct small wooden pavilions, while considering how new technologies can support and make use of traditional architectural culture. Through this workshop, we will learn the importance of not only the ‘form’ of traditional wooden buildings, but also their structural ingenuity, systems of measurement, rituals and ceremonies, the value of ornamentation, and more.

Prominent Features of the workshop/ skills developed

Through this workshop, participants will learn about Japanese wooden traditional buildings, from history to realization, understanding through lectures and hands-on workshops. In addition, skills on how to structurally analyse complex structures through specific software will be developed as well as how to move from model to realization thanks to introduction to traditional and advanced machinery. Practical hands-on skills will be part of the learning process as the last part of the visiting school foresees design, assembly and construction of the pavilion.

Location

Takenaka Carpentry Museum, KOBE

Takenaka Corporation Osaka Head Office, OSAKA

Eligibility

The workshop is open to current architecture and design students, PhD candidates and young professionals. Software Requirements: Adobe Creative Suite, Rhino (latest release), Grasshopper and plugins. A Basic knowledge of Grasshopper is required.

Sponsors

Takenaka Corporation

Takenaka Carpentary Tools Museum

To get more info about the workshop, please send email to: [email protected], and visit: osaka.aaschool.ac.uk.

All images courtesy of AAVS Osaka Programme

> via AAVS Osaka