Conference Agenda

The Tower House, completed in 1966 by architect Takamitsu Azuma, is a unique example of post-war urban residential architecture in Tokyo's Shibuya ward district. Built on a mere 20m² of land, this vertically oriented structure challenges traditional Japanese architectural norms, which have historically favored horizontal expansion and modular room configurations using fusuma (sliding doors) and tatami mats. In an era when suburban sprawl was shaping much of Tokyo's residential development following US trends, Azuma's decision to build within the city reflects a desire to rethink traditional Japanese housing models for a densely populated urban environment. This research addresses the key question of whether modern urban homes can maintain the core spatial and social characteristics of traditional Japanese residences such as "Minka" and "Machiya" and accommodate a modern family while adapting to the constraints of urban living through a comparative analysis of the Tower House and traditional Japanese homes. The research highlights how the house conceptually incorporates key features of traditional Japanese homes, such as modularity and the integration of interior and exterior spaces, along with concepts like the Genkan (entrance) and Engawa (verandas), while addressing the limitations of its urban context. This research aims to illustrate how Azuma's Tower House provides a model for reconciling traditional Japanese architectural principles with modern urban living. By examining the reinterpretation of traditional spatial concepts, the integration of the building within its urban context, and the transformation of horizontal spaces into vertical alignments, this study demonstrates how Azuma's design addresses the challenges of dense urban housing while maintaining a connection to Japan's architectural traditions.

Building on the vast literature of Vitruvian reinterpretations, this paper explores the six architectural principles articulated in De Architectura—ordinatio, symmetria, dispositio, eurythmia, decor, and distributio—through the metaphor of weaving. While these principles have been extensively studied, particularly from an art historical perspective as aesthetic criteria, this study shifts the focus from product-oriented interpretations to a process-oriented view. By employing close reading and mapping as a method, the study investigates how these principles operate as interdependent threads that mediate the relationship between theory and practice. The weaving metaphor, grounded in the conceptual origins of Vitruvian theory, highlights the principles’ inherent pliancy and interconnectedness. This reinterpretation positions Vitruvius’s principles as an ecology of concepts—a dynamic and adaptable framework for architectural design. By framing his work within the ecological thought, the paper bridges Vitruvian thought with contemporary design theories that emphasize relationality, iterative processes, and contextual responsiveness. This approach recasts Vitruvian architecture not as a rigid system of rules but as a holistic and evolving practice in which the interplay among form, function, and context is constantly negotiated.

Globally, urban planning agencies have codes of ethics to promote inclusionary practices to serve the “public interest.” Public interest remains contentious and prone to debates about its real-life application in urban planning that has historically followed top-down models. This is especially evident in countries like India, grappling with challenges stemming from rural-to-urban migration, accelerated urban growth, and the remaining influence of colonial planning. This study examines housing development strategies in Delhi, investigating how planners have adapted Western theoretical ideas since India’s independence in 1947. The study draws on archival data sources, including formal planning documents, historical maps, and policy documents. The study reveals how Western planning ideals infused city planning in India pre- and post-independence and have been adapted in light of India’s own planning visions at the national and state level. Using Delhi as a case study, the study sheds light on the interplay between Western ideals and local cultural and societal needs, and the resulting urban forms and practices. This study emphasizes the importance of learning from historical experiences to guide future urban planning in rapidly developing cities within the Global South.