Visualogue|39.Shinkenchiku Architecture|Reda Sejini
As part of the University of Prince Muqrin’s College of Engineering 2 day symposium on Architecture and Entrepreneurship, urbanphenomena principal and co-founder Reda Sejini presented an introductory lecture on Japanese Architecture entitled: “Shinkenchiku Architecture: context and concept in Japanese architecture”. Throughout the lecture, Reda showed us how and why Japanese architects have been extraordinary for their capacity to adopt both cultural and technical ways of other peoples without giving up their own traditions in the process. Later on, he introduced the audience to the three modes that Japanese architects have used to respond to the urban context.
He concluded by shedding some light on why historical Japanese architecture has often been cited as being the role model for modernist architecture. Early modernist architects and thinkers from Europe were awed with their modularity and simplicity of expression. Citing the example of Bruno Taut’s visit to Japan, after which his writings helped enshrine Kyoto’s Katsura Imperial Villa and Ise Shrine as potential prototypes for modern architecture.
Reda lectures and writes on the condition of architecture practice and design in the region. He focuses on topics related to Japanese Architecture and urbanism, information architecture, way-finding in the built environment, and mapping the cultural identity of cities in the Middle East. He is currently principal and managing director at the architecture and design studio of urbanphenomena; a multi-disciplinary design team working on projects at the crossroads of Architecture, Interior, Product Design and Wayfinding.
The lecture was delivered in Madinah as part of the University of Prince Muqrin’s Symposium entitled “Studio” on Tuesday, April 9th , 2019.
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