BETWEEN HOMES

Traditional Japanese Architecture: Preserving Buildings, Craftsmanship, and Cultural Heritage

An exploration of Japan's traditional wooden architecture — including kominka farmhouses, kura storehouses, temples, shrines, gates, and other historic structures — and the craftsmanship, history, cultural significance, and preservation of these remarkable buildings.

The presentation explores traditional Japanese architecture and building arts, carpentry and joinery, preservation, faithful reconstruction, adaptive reuse, sustainability, stewardship, and the cultural knowledge embodied within traditional buildings, materials, and landscapes. It also highlights the role of education and international collaboration in helping to preserve and share Japan's architectural heritage for future generations.

Location: Inamori Pavilion
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
JFGM Member: $10 | Non-member $25

*Admission is included in the ticket. This class is non-refundable 7 days before the event.

Presented by:

Andrea Carlson — Director of Programs, Education & Research, Kominka Collective (Japan); Director of Programs & Initiatives, Minka Preservation Society; Professor Emeritus, Aichi Prefectural University

Andrea Carlson works to support the preservation, documentation, stewardship, relocation, reconstruction, adaptive reuse, and public interpretation of traditional Japanese architecture through the Kominka Collective. Her work includes educational programs, exhibitions, public presentations, architectural study tours, cultural exchange initiatives, and research related to Japan’s built cultural heritage and traditional building arts. She also serves as Director of Programs & Initiatives for the Minka Preservation Society. Andreais Professor Emeritus at Aichi Prefectural University and a Visiting Researcher at the Anthropological Institute at Nanzan University.

Koji Toda — Preservation and Adaptive Reuse Specialist, Toda Komuten, Shinshiro, Aichi Prefecture

Koji Toda oversees the traditional architecture, preservation, relocation, reconstruction, and adaptive reuse work of ToTTdaKomuten, a family-run design-build company in Shinshiro, Aichi Prefecture, with roots in the Taishō era and along the tradition of wooden architecture. He has coordinated the preservation, relocation, reconstruction, and renewal of endangered traditional Japanese structures for cultural institutions, Japanese gardens, retreat centers, and private clients in Japan and overseas. He also supports workshops, educational programs, and cultural exchange initiatives related to traditional Japanese building arts and heritage preservation.