Vol. 30: FROM THE EDITOR

The theme of this month’s special feature is preserving masterpieces of residential architecture for the next generation. Japanese architects have long been highly praised around the world, especially in recent decades. Looking, for example, at the recipients of the Pritzker Prize, the “Nobel of architecture,” founded in 1979, Japan has produced seven winners, second only to the United States’ eight: Kenzo Tange (1987), Fumihiko Maki (1993), Tadao Ando (1995), SANAA partners Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa (2010), Toyo Ito (2013), Shigeru Ban (2014) and Arata Isozaki (2019).

And yet, while the work of Japanese architects is praised overseas, in Japan the unfortunate truth is that even houses designed by such luminaries are not properly appreciated and often end up being demolished. There are many reasons for this, including Japan’s legal and tax systems and a general lack of understanding of Japanese architectural culture. But some people are concerned enough to try to do something about it — and we will learn about their work in this special feature on the issues surrounding the preservation of residential architecture.