Naomi Pollock: The Japanese House Since 1945

Imagine a rowhouse whose courtyard separates the kitchen from the bedroom. Or a tiny, triangular tower of rooms stacked one above another. Quirky, experimental, and utterly fascinating, the houses produced in Japan since the end of World War II are among the most exceptional in the world, and they are also family homes.

During this event, architect and author Naomi Pollock will discuss The Japanese House Since 1945, a cohesive chronology of iconic Japanese houses, presenting the most compelling architect-designed homes to show developments in form, material, architectural expression, and family living over almost eight decades.

Unparalleled in their conceptual purity, many Japanese houses have become icons at home as well as abroad. Presented with clear prose and accompanied by photographs and drawings, the book features ninety-seven houses, divided among nine chapters and organized by decade. In addition to acquainting the reader with individual homes, the book illuminates the social, technological, geographic, and historical factors behind these epoch-making houses. Developments over the period are underscored by the visual presentation, as it evolves from monochrome to color and from hand-drawn to digital. Decade lead-ins set the historical context for each chapter, while “Spotlight” segments draw attention to the separate components of the Japanese house. “At Home” sections, most authored by architects and their family members, bring to life the experience of living in these unique houses.

The presentation will be moderated by Iker Gil and followed by a reception and book signing. A limited amount of copies of The Japanese House Since 1945 will be available for purchase at Wrightwood 659.