Shizen: Spaces Shaped by Nature in Japan

A powerful exploration of the relationship between nature and contemporary Japanese architecture, through the lens of remarkable buildings by Tadao Ando, Sou Fujimoto, Kengo Kuma, nendo, and other architects

From architecture to interiors, nature – or shizen – timelessly underpins, informs, and imbues the essence of spatial design in Japan. It can be seen in the natural air flow systems; measured winter sunlight angles; and blurred boundaries between inside and out that so often define contemporary Japanese spaces.

Consequently, contemporary buildings in Japan are often not only rooted in a profound connection to their natural landscape, but are shaped by it at an elemental level and at times spatially contain it. Shizen: Spaces Shaped by Nature in Japan illuminates the foundational threads that flow between nature and contemporary Japanese architecture.

This exquisitely designed book features 30 incredible buildings organized into five thematic chapters reflecting Japan’s natural topography: Mountain, Forest, Sea, Soil, and Sky. Readers will discover stunning photographs of work by the country’s leading architects, as well as interviews with luminaries including Tadao Ando, Sou Fujimoto, Junya Ishigami, Kengo Kuma, and Ai Yoshida.

With an elegant fallback binding, 175 evocative images, and contents rich with symbolism and meaning, this beautiful and soulful book will offer both visual and philosophical inspiration.