Japanese architect Yusuke Takahashi, founder of the YT Architects bureau, in his projects achieves a harmonious combination of modern trends and national traditions. At the BATIMAT RUSSIA 2019 exhibition, he held a master class ‘10 Unknown Principles of Japanese Architecture’ and gave an exclusive interview.
– We are now present at the BATIMAT RUSSIA 2019 international exhibition. How often do you participate in exhibitions as an architect? Should an architect participate in exhibitions actually, and what is the point?
– In fact, I rarely participate. But I often work privately with the audience and with clients. Of course, an architect should participate in exhibitions, only in a slightly different way. This may be a live dialogue with the audience in the format of a forum, where novice specialists receive valuable feedback. This kind of communication format has an educational function, and the architect raises the level of perception among professional audience and customers with his works. Professionalism, experience and aesthetic perception of the architect provide desirable result.
– Do you think architects and designers should participate in professional competitions?
– It is a must. Designers and architects always work for the future. At the same time, it is necessary to participate both for beginners and established architects, but only in case the competition task has been compiled correctly and completely. But anyway, the key to success in the profession of an architect – as in any other – is to be an excellent specialist.
– The most prestigious international award for architecture – the Pritzker Architecture Prize – is often presented to Japanese architects, while Russian architects have never received it. What do you think, why?
– This is true, but I cannot say why. But I think, first of all, not because Russian architects are somehow bad. Probably because more Japanese architects participate in the competition. The statistics is like this: more participants – more often they receive the award.
– How did it come that such a geographically small country has such a large number of architects?
– I think that there are not so many architects in Japan, they are not even enough. There’re many more architects in Europe. Education determines a lot. In Japan, from the first course of study, you can begin to work and get real practice in architectural studios and design offices. So, you gain practical experience, which is necessary for a professional. For the Japanese, it is common practice to have practical skills when you graduate from the institute in designing working documentation and so on. And I’m no exception. My experience with project drawings and creating a design was obtained in the architectural studio, where I started my career. When I got enough skills, I separated and became who I am now.
– Do you notice that the global architecture, evolving more and more, becomes averaged and of the same kind? Sometimes it’s difficult to understand which city we are in.
– I understand very well what you are talking about. I also think that a certain unification is taking place. The simplest example is to have a look at what people are wearing. My philosophical position in this regard is different. For me, the building in some sense should perform a certain function of clothing. Today, technological progress greatly changes constructive concept of buildings. And though they are based on the same engineering solutions, but the appearance, the facades can be changed over time. The architect has a kind of freedom of choice, and a flexible approach is needed here. The building can be transformed into something else. In Japan, the traditional approach to clothing is different. It is not thrown away, even if it is out of fashion or torn, it is repaired or remodeled. This is the way I want buildings to be more like clothes.
– Japanese architecture is greatly influenced by nature and merging with nature. You open windows, doors, walls and let the nature inside. Of course, the weather conditions in Russia are different, but how can we become closer to nature?
– There are two ways. Here in Russia in my work I set up a second light, make more internal space. And the second is that in Russia you have large houses and housing areas, and inside you can create small islands of greenery, making reference to Japanese inner gardens and ‘rock gardens’ in the interior. This is part of nature, but it is not outside, but inside. This greatly changes the space visually and aesthetically and transforms the feeling of being in it.
– What are the projects you are working on now?
– I’ve got six projects in progress now. Three in Japan and three in Russia. In Russia, these are mainly private houses and the interior of a sports complex. I’ve also got several upcoming projects, which are more large-scale. Last year I developed a plan for a cottage community. In the near future I will begin a more detailed elaboration of this project.
– Who is easier to work with emotionally and where is it easier to implement your project all the way through without changes, in Russia or Japan?
– I can say for certain that it is more fun in Russia, but there is also a lot of trouble. In Japan, despite the understanding and a higher degree of reliability of contractors, there are a lot of laws and restrictions. They establish their own frameworks and, as a result, a certain element of creativity is often lost.
