EdX

Four Facets of Contemporary Japanese Architecture: Theory (edX)

Four Facets of Contemporary Japanese Architecture: Theory (edX)

Learn the history, ideas and concepts behind contemporary Japanese architecture through four architectural facets and five generations of architects. This series will explore four facets of contemporary Japanese architecture; theory, technology, city, and humans. It will also span five generations of architects since Kenzo Tange. Through lectures by instructors and discussions with the most influential Japanese architects, the course will trace the development of contemporary Japanese architecture and will consider its future direction.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see EdX's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

In this first course, we will focus on one of the four facets of Japanese architecture: theory.
The theory portion will feature discussions with architects who played a significant role in influencing the development of theoretical frameworks that contributed to guiding contemporary Japanese architecture. Terunobu Fujimori, Arata Isozaki, Hisao Kohyama, Kengo Kuma, Hidetoshi Ohno, and Kazuyo Sejima will visit their buildings and discuss the ideas behind their respective works.
In the coming courses on technology, city, and humans, the following leading Japanese architects will discuss their work — Tadao Ando, Shigeru Ban, Manabu Chiba, Sou Fujimoto, Hiroshi Hara, Itsuko Hasegawa, Toyo Ito, Kengo Kuma, Fumihiko Maki, Kazuhiko Namba, Yusuke Obuchi, Satoko Shinohara, Yoshiharu Tsukamoto, and Riken Yamamoto. Don’t miss the rest of this great series!
This course is part of the Four Facets of Contemporary Japanese Architecture XSeries Program.

What you'll learn:

  • Development of contemporary Japanese architecture since the 1964 Tokyo Olympics
  • Features of works of influential Japanese architects
  • Theories behind practices in contemporary Japanese architecture
  • Present concerns and potential future directions for contemporary Japanese architecture
Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Basic Japanese Civil Law (edX) EdX
Tokyo Institute of Technology,TokyoTechX

Basic Japanese Civil Law (edX)

Law

Learn Japanese Civil Law, covering various contemporary issues faced in everyday life. This course teaches Japanese law covering the legal system and basic concepts. Starting with the study of concepts common to many countries, such as sovereignty, constitution, separation of three rights, basic human rights and personal security.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Steps in Japanese for Beginners2 Part1 (edX) EdX
Waseda University,WasedaX

Steps in Japanese for Beginners2 Part1 (edX)

Learn casual expressions which are used among people who know each other well and the small talk which helps build personal relationships. The exchange students Andy gets to know more people and has more opportunities to use small talk and talk about himself with these people. He also finds out that the language he uses with his friends and the polite language and expression he needs to talk with strangers and older people are different. Andy's seminar classmate, Saori falls in love with Andy's dorm mate Mr. Ono.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Making Architecture (Coursera) Coursera
IE Business School,IE School of Architecture & Design

Making Architecture (Coursera)

Making architecture offers a unique insight into the mind and work of an Architect, starting with the basics of the profession and culminating with the production of a scaled site model. The course should act as ideal preparation for those interested in undertaking an undergraduate degree in Architecture, although its flexible, intriguing and enjoyable content makes it accessible for all those looking to increase their knowledge in the field.

Nov 9th 2026
4 Weeks
Steps in Japanese for Beginners2 Part3 (edX) EdX
Waseda University,WasedaX

Steps in Japanese for Beginners2 Part3 (edX)

Learn how to explain a troubling situation, and how to ask for assistance from people. Andy explains the symptoms of his illness at hospital and describes some problems he has with his room at the dormitory. He also asks for assistance. He asks for help from his friend with a presentation he has to do in Japanese and gets some good advice. He solves his problems using his Japanese.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
The Meaning of Rome: The Renaissance and Baroque City (edX) EdX
University of Notre Dame,NotreDameX

The Meaning of Rome: The Renaissance and Baroque City (edX)

Learn how the art, architecture, and urban form of Renaissance and Baroque Rome projected the city’s image of itself to its citizens and the world. We can read a city in a number of ways: in its plan, in the buildings that make its streets and public spaces, in the skyline. We can ask, what are the buildings or spaces saying? How do they say it? How does it all stitch together?

No sessions available
5-12 Weeks
Vernacular Architecture of Asia: Tradition, Modernity and Cultural Sustainability (edX) EdX
University of Hong Kong,HKUx

Vernacular Architecture of Asia: Tradition, Modernity and Cultural Sustainability (edX)

Learn about built environments in Asia and how we can better conserve and sustain vernacular architecture in the future. How do we deal with the challenges and threats to vernacular architecture and make sure that it is sustained in this modern urbanized world? This is the key question we will try to answer in this course.

No sessions available
5-12 Weeks
The Architectural Imagination (edX) EdX
HarvardX,Harvard University

The Architectural Imagination (edX)

Learn fundamental principles of architecture — as an academic subject or a professional career — by studying some of history’s most important buildings. Architecture engages a culture’s deepest social values and expresses them in material, aesthetic form. This course will teach you how to understand architecture as both cultural expression and technical achievement. Vivid analyses of exemplary buildings, and hands-on exercises in drawing and modeling, will bring you closer to the work of architects and historians.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Ancient Egyptian Civilisation (edX) EdX
Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Ancient Egyptian Civilisation (edX)

Learn about the history, women, and architecture of ancient Egypt from the Library of Alexandria, Egypt's celebrated learning and cultural complex. This brief, introductory history course will take you on a journey into the wonders of ancient Egypt as you discover why ancient Egypt is the legend that it is. Learners will be exposed to the magnificent accomplishments and contributions that Egypt has made to civilization from Ancient times to today.

No sessions available
5-12 Weeks
Steps in Japanese for Beginners1 Part3 (edX) EdX
Waseda University,WasedaX

Steps in Japanese for Beginners1 Part3 (edX)

Learn important words and phrases for building relationships with other people. The exchange student Andy is asked to join the university yosokoi dance club. And he decides to join. Through interaction with his yosokoi club mates and his Japanese class teacher, he describes his experiences and we learn more about Andy’s character and how he tries his hardest in these situations.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Models in Architecture – design through physical & digital models (edX) EdX
Delft University of Technology,DelftX

Models in Architecture – design through physical & digital models (edX)

Learn to develop your architectural designs by using scale models as well as Virtual Reality representations. Physical and digital design skills are key to practitioners in art, design, and engineering, as well as many other creative professions. Models are essential in architecture. In design practice all kinds of physical scale models and digital models are used side by side.

No sessions available
5-12 Weeks