Kirjahaku

Quirky, surprising and entertaining - with more than 400 houses, Jutaku is architecture at the speed of Japan.Frenetic. Pulsating. Disorienting. Japan's contemporary culture is constantly in flux. In stark contrast to the centuries old imperial architecture of Kyoto, recent Japanese architectural practices have ushered in an era of continuous experimentation.With 500 houses, one house per page, one image per house, Jutaku: Japanese Houses is a fast-paced, "quick hit" shock to the system that shines a Harajuku-bright neon light on the sheer volume, variety and novelty of contemporary Japanese residential architecture.Featuring the work of many of Japan's most famous architects including Shigeru Ban, Sou Fujimoto, Toyo Ito, Kengo Kuma, Jun Igarishi, Shuhei Endo and dozens of up and coming and completely unknown young architects, Jutaku is organized geographically taking readers on a bullet train journey across Japan's architectural landscape. Essential reading for architects, designers and fans of contemporary Japanese culture.

Hitoshi Abe (b. 1962) is one of the most important rising figures in contemporary Japanese architecture. After graduating from SCI-Arc in Los Angeles, he worked in the cutting-edge architecture practice Coop Himmelb(l)au before establishing his own studio, Atelier Hitoshi Abe, in Sendai, Japan. He has received international recognition for his bold architecture, and has taught at Tohoku Institute of Technology, University of California Berkeley and University of California Los Angeles. This is the first monograph on Hitoshi Abe to be published in English. Featuring 26 projects that include stadia, museums, bridges and private houses, each building is discussed in detail and accompanied by photographs, computer renderings and concept drawings.