JWACA2023-001: Architecture and Environment

Abstract

    This article presented Kazuyo Sejima’s architectural philosophy through global projects that harmonize internal and external environments. Case studies included Japan Women’s University (transparent libraries and communal spaces), Milan’s Bocconi University (curvilinear forms blending campus and city parks), and Sydney Modern Art Gallery (terrain-integrated galleries). Sejima emphasizes fluid spatial transitions, contextual sensitivity, and lightweight materials like glass to dissolve boundaries between architecture and surroundings. The dialogue highlighted her inspiration from Japanese traditional architecture’s "ambiguous spaces" and adaptability to diverse cultural contexts, such as China’s coastal projects. Key themes included fostering social interaction, reinterpreting historical elements, and ecological integration.