Japanese architecture has a history of thousand of years. The architectural styles change with time, and you can see how they evolved through the centuries. But what defines Japanese building style? Let’s find out.
modern japanese architecture is the result of a unique interweaving between nature and human dwellings. In fact, there are many natural features that have been integrated into buildings to make them look less artificial when seen from afar. For this reason, even when it becomes necessary to enlarge or add a new floor in a house, it is always better not to cut external walls but to use sliding doors instead so as to preserve its appearance from afar and maintain the overall image.
In Japan, common people were not allowed in temples until 1868 because Buddhism was strictly followed by the ruling class. This led to the development of vernacular architecture, which is a style of architecture that is native to a particular area and not influenced by any other luxury homes properties. Vernacular architecture in Japan is characterized by its use of natural materials, like wood and stone, and by the way, it blends in with the surrounding environment.
The main features of Japanese vernacular architecture are:
– The use of natural materials, like wood and stone.
– The buildings are often made to look like they are part of the natural environment.
– The use of sliding doors instead of external walls.
– The buildings are usually one or two stories high.
Now that we know what makes Japanese vernacular architecture unique let’s take a look at some of the most famous examples of it.