FIU SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE

ARC 5933 SPECIAL TOPICS (3) SUMMER A 2 0 1 3

Associate Professor Alfredo Andia, Ph.D. | 305 348 6703 | andia@post.harvard.edu
Tu TBA | Office hrs: by appointment 9-to-10.30 AM (PCA374B)

ARC 5933 Special Topics (3 credits): Coursework on a particular aspect of architecture under the direction of faculty
in a classroom format. Prerequisite: Program Approval.

Seminar Topic: kyosho-jutaku! Japanese Micro Houses

Since the seminal Azuma house by Tadao Ando and the U house by Toyo Ito in the 1970s small Japanese houses
have became one of the most unexpected examples of architectural expression in Architecture today.
Since the year 2000 small Japanese residential design has evolved and exploded in its ability to innovate. The
extraordinary work has emerged as a unique reaction to the zoning, social, political, and intense urbanity that
characterizes the Japanese cities. Despite the extraordinary odds hundreds of small and in most cases not well known
Japanese firms have heroically created a well established poetic alternative for domestic space in one of the densest
urban areas of the world.
During the class we look at some of the most powerful work of a large number of small emerging firms. Most of these
firms are relatively unknown. They operate under the radar from the architectural media in the west and they are
relatively small but they have spurred a workable movement that has brought together home owners, entrepreneurs,
new pre-fabrication techniques, and innovative design ideas. The visit to Japan will give us an opportunity to visit some
of these surprising firms, understand the context in which they operate, and experience some of the work.
The unexpected powerfulness and the vastness of this contemporary work is astonishing. Architecturally, the work no
longer relates to the traditional notions of space distribution. Instead this work seems devoid of the compositional
clichés, formal ties, reference anxieties, or the reactionary ambitions found usually in the western avant-garde.
Instead, this type of work obsessively searches for a palette of architectural experiences that are tightly related to a
particular reading of the architectural case. In these Small Japanese houses the conventions are broken. The designs
are tightly related to the site constraints, notions of privacy, building materials, and the perceived ambitions of the
client. There are free references to pop, edgy, and traditional culture. In the end all is mixed and channeled to an
aesthetic surprise that is geared to the poetic desire to maximize everything when everything has been reduced to its
minimum.
The content of that we will analyze it will help students revaluate how we can use human space at all levels. It will help
students gain direct experience of a massive amount contemporary work that emerges at a local level on relatively
small commissions. It will help students understand the work of young emerging practices and look at an impressive
body of work which is contemporary and that has been build mostly just in the past decade. Students at the end of the
class will develop an exhibit and part of a book with the work analyzed.

Japan Trip
Students will be spending two weeks in Japan. During this time students will have the opportunity to analyze the site
conditions, visit, and interview Japanese architects involved in this type of work.
Course Evaluation
Students will be evaluated upon performance in the projects. While a satisfactory grade in the course may be attained
by the completion of all work required to the satisfaction of the professor, individual initiative and investigation of design
and research issues that extend beyond the basic requirements are strongly encouraged. Grading will be based on the
University system. Class attendance is mandatory. Tardiness is disruptive to class and will definitely affect grades. Two
tardiness equals one absence. Four absences will automatically result in a failing grade. No late work will be
accepted failing the corresponding grade segment. Absenteeism or tardiness at mid-term or final review will result in
a failing grade. Students must be present during the entire length of major reviews.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

It is the student’s responsibility to obtain, become familiar with, and abide by all Departmental, College and University
requirements and regulations. These include but are not limited to:
- The Florida International University Catalog Division of Student Affairs Handbook of Rights and
Responsibilities
- Departmental Curriculum and Program Sheets
- Departmental Policies and Regulations

Student Work
The School of Architecture reserves the right to retain any and all student work for the purpose of record, exhibition
and instruction. All students are encouraged to photograph and/or copy all work for personal records prior to submittal
to instructor. Selected student work might be displayed at the School of Architecture Gallery.

Midterm and Final

Midterm and Final presentations are mandatory. Un-excused student absence will result in a fail grade. You are
encouraged to contact the instructor as soon as possible in case of a personal emergency.

Selected Reading References

- JA : the Japan architect. Tokyo : Shinkenchiku Co., 1991- (NA6.J3)
- GA Architecture (NA6600)
- GA Document (NA1 .A1 G23)
- Pollock, Naomi R. 2005. Modern Japanese house. London: Phaidon (NA7451 .P65 2005)
- Sand, Jordan. 2003. House and home in modern Japan: architecture, domestic space, and bourgeois
culture, 1880-1930. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Asia Center (NA7451 .S33 2003)
- Seike, Kiyoshi, and Charles S. Terry. 1964. Contemporary Japanese houses. Tokyo: Kodansha
International (NA7451 .S38)
- Yoshida, Tetsurō. 1955. The Japanese house and garden. New York: Praeger (NA7451 .Y613 1955)
- Brown, Azby, and Joseph Cali. 2001. The Japanese dream house: how technology and tradition are
shaping new home design. New York: Kodansha International (NA7451 .B76 2001)
- Ueda, Atsushi. 1990. The inner harmony of the Japanese house. Tokyo: Kodansha International (NA7451
.U3313 1990)
- Inaba, Kazuya, Shigenobu Nakayama, and John Bester. 2000. Japanese homes and lifestyles: an
illustrated journey through history. Tokyo: Kodansha International (NA7451 .I4813 2000)
- Iwatate, Marcia, and Geeta K. Mehta. 2005. Japan houses. North Clarendon, Vt: Tuttle (NA7451 .I93 2005)
- Iwatate, Marcia, and Geeta K. Mehta. 2008. Japan living: form and function at the cutting edge. Tokyo:
Tuttle (NK2084.A1 I93 2008)
- Itō, Teiji. 1972. Traditional domestic architecture of Japan. New York: Weatherhill (NA7451 .I8413)
- Daniels, Inge, and Susan Andrews. 2010. The Japanese house: material culture in the modern home.
Oxford: Berg (GT367 .D36 2010)
- Michael Freeman. 2004. Space : Japanese design solutions for compact living. New York, N.Y. : Universe
2004 (Palm Beach SC NA2850 .F74 2004 )
- Small house Tokyo: how the Japanese live well in small spaces. 2008. Tokyo, Japan: Cocoro Books (UM
NA7453.T64 S63 2008)

Grades
35% Pre-Mid-Term assignments and Mid-Term exam
65% Final exam and post-midterm assignments (including exhibit/book requirement)