Sustainability and the traditional architecture of Japan: cities that could revert to summer grass

Add to your list(s) Download to your calendar using vCal

• Professor Martin Morris, Chiba University, Japan
• Wednesday 21 April 2010, 13:15-14:15
• First-floor Classroom, Department of Architecture, 1-5 Scroope Terrace, Cambridge, CB2 1PX, www.arct.cam.ac.uk.

If you have a question about this talk, please contact Juan José Sarralde.

Abstract: This talk considers the traditional architecture of Japan from the standpoint of sustainability. With its preference for renewable biodegradable timbernot masonryas its principal structural material, the ecological credentials of Japanʼs pre-modern building tradition already seem excellent. However, alongside choice of materials is another aspect, arguably of equal significance, which can succinctly be expressed as “lightness of footprint”. It is this, together with a related propensity for recycling, which I want to highlight, demonstrating through the example of traditional Japan its compatibility with a high material culture.

Biography: Martin Morris was born in Cambridge in 1956 and studied architecture at Cambridge University (Dipl. Arch, 1982). Awarded a Monbusho Scholarship to study at the Faculty of Engineering, Tokyo University in 1983, he took his doctorate there in 1995. Since 1996 he has taught architectural history at Chiba University, Japan, as lecturer, associate professor and, since 2007, Professor. Research areas include: The house types of premodern Japan, comparative study of the history of architecture, settlement and landscape in East and West(focused on Japan and England), architectural conservation.

This talk is part of the Martin Centre Research Seminar Series - 40th Annual Series of Lunchtime Lectures series.

This talk is included in these lists:

• Cambridge Environment
• Chris Davis' list
• Featured lists
• Featured talks
• First-floor Classroom, Department of Architecture, 1-5 Scroope Terrace, Cambridge, CB2 1PX, www.arct.cam.ac.uk
• Guy Emerson's list
• Martin Centre Research Seminar Series - 40th Annual Series of Lunchtime Lectures
• Queens' College Politics Society
• custom

Note that ex-directory lists are not shown.