Japanese architecture has a Zen like quality that makes the onlooker enjoy the simplicity of the elements and how well they work with nature. Japanese architect and architectural historian Terunobu Fujimori also a professor at the Institute of Industrial Science at the University of Tokyo began his work late in life, 19 years ago at the age of 44. Fujimori takes a hands on approach in his conception of some of Japan’s most startlingly original buildings and homes and is more interested in actual building than in the design. He fell into the business after he was commissioned to design a small history museum for a local family in his village.

Wanting to make a unique statement and not relying on his vast knowledge of architectural history, Fujimori made a concerted effort to be different in his approach. Architect Kengo Kuma wrote “Terunobu Fujimori has thrown a punch of a kind no one has ever seen before at modernism“. I really like the special detailing of his works from the floating structures, to the charred exteriors. Several of his residential designs have special tea rooms or tea houses, my favorite is the one perched in the tree. Here are some of the architectural contributions from Terunobu Fujimori featured in a recent edition of Dwell Magazine.