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

Coexistence in Medieval Spain: Jews, Christians, and Muslims (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado System

Coexistence in Medieval Spain: Jews, Christians, and Muslims (Coursera)

This course explores Jewish, Christian, and Muslim intercultural relations in Iberia from the Visigothic era (6th century CE) until the creation of Queen Isabel I and King Ferdinand II Catholic Spain (late 15th century). We evaluate the many identities of the peninsula known as Christian Hispania, Jewish Sefarad, and Islamic al-Andalus. We trace the origins and trajectory of conflict between these communities (the Muslim conquest of Spain, Christian Reconquista, prohibitions blocking intermixing of peoples, and expulsions).

Aug 31st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Sustainable Urban Development (edX) EdX
Wageningen University,Delft University of Technology,DelftX,WageningenX

Sustainable Urban Development (edX)

Learn why cities are key in resolving global urbanization and sustainability challenges and how you can engineer tomorrow’s cities today. Did you know that cities take up less than 3% of the earth’s land surface, but more than 50% of the world’s population live in them? And, cities generate more than 70% of the global emissions? Large cities and their hinterlands (jointly called metropolitan regions) greatly contribute to global urbanization and sustainability challenges, yet are also key to resolving these same challenges.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Age of Cathedrals (Coursera) Coursera
Yale University

Age of Cathedrals (Coursera)

An introduction to some of the most astonishing architectural monuments the world has ever known—Gothic cathedrals. We shall study the art, literature, intellectual life, economics, and new social arrangements that arose in the shadow of the cathedrals and that were such an important part of the revival of cities in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. The goal of the course is a better appreciation of the High Middle Ages, a world that is still recognizably our own.

Aug 31st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Steps in Japanese for Beginners3 Part1 (edX) EdX
Waseda University,WasedaX

Steps in Japanese for Beginners3 Part1 (edX)

Learn manners and rules needed develop personal relationships with various people and expressions necessary for natural disasters. A younger student has entered Andy’s dormitory. Andy feels like he wants to help the new student by teaching him what he knows about life in Japan. Unfortunately, the new student does not seem to need Andy’s help and seems to like doing things in his own way.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
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
Parametric Designs in Revit (edX) EdX
RUDN University,RUDNx

Parametric Designs in Revit (edX)

You will get a systematic view of the course, learn the basics of parametric designs as a new tool for learning and transforming the world of architecture, the key to the success of modern architecture, demanded by managers who change their companies for the better. Together with practitioners and experts, you will explore the possibilities of innovational designs in architecture. This course represents the study and practical use of topics that are the fundamental basis of architecture.

Sef Paced
Self-Paced
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