Public Lectures

Lecturer:

Mikiya Fujimoto
(Professor Department of Life Design Otemae College Junior College)

Creating a safe city: Considering universal design and safety planning

Japan is experiencing a declining birthrate and an aging population, and as a disaster-prone country, we are in a situation where we do not know when a disaster will strike. In this situation, creating cities where everyone can live safely and comfortably is becoming an increasingly important issue.
This course will provide an easy-to-understand explanation of the basics of universal design and safety planning, including disaster and crime prevention. It will also introduce ideas that can be implemented at home and in the community, systems for protecting vulnerable people in the event of a disaster, and other useful information, with examples and photographs.

Lecturer:

Hiroyuki Tamada
(Part-time Lecturer Otemae University)

Deciphering the "Japaneseness" of modern Architecture

When we unravel the history of modern Japanese Architecture, we notice that it has often been designed while asking the question, "What is uniquely Japanese?" What did the designers consider to be uniquely Japanese? What have viewers perceived as uniquely Japanese? Japaneseness can be seen in "sereneness," "gentleness," and "delicacy," but it can also be seen in strength and decorativeness of form. The answer varies depending on the era and the designer. We will consider what "Japaneseness" is through modern Architecture.

Lecturer:

Motoki Shimoda
(Lecturer Otemae University Faculty of Architecture & Arts)

Understanding "Architecture and Town" from the Perspective of the Sea

Coastal towns have a unique Architecture culture that was born from the interplay of natural forces and lifestyle ingenuity. In this course, we will use the iconic example of the boathouses of Ine as a starting point to interpret the origins of homes that are close to the sea, while broadening our perspective to include diverse coastal spaces such as Architecture, alleys, beaches, and places of worship that exist on coasts around various regions. These spaces are alive with "ways of living with the sea," a layered expression of each region's activities. Looking at the relationship between Architecture and town from a sea perspective can reveal new meanings to familiar scenery - we will share this experience and consider the appeal and future of coastal towns.

Lecturer:

Yoshiyuki Fukumoto
(Part-time Lecturer Otemae University)

An introduction to potential earthquakes in the Kansai region and the structural technologies developed to ensure safety

Since the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, Japan has experienced many earthquake disasters. Aiming to provide safe buildings for the people who live and use them, many new structural technologies have been developed, including structures that can withstand earthquake forces (seismic isolation) and structures that can absorb and suppress earthquake tremors (seismic control). This lecture will introduce potential earthquakes that may occur in the Kansai region in the future, as well as various newly developed technologies, and provide an easy-to-understand explanation of the structural features and ingenuity of buildings that have actually been constructed using these technologies.