Shigenori Uoya is an architect very much concerned with how historic townscapes such as Kyoto, where he is highly active, are in danger of disappearing. However, rather than seeking to preserve things as they are, which risks turning cities into ‘living museums’ instead of evolving with the times, Uoya seeks to reimagine storied buildings and their environments for the 21st century. The overarching objective of these projects is to create an urban legacy that can be passed on to future generations.
This exhibition explores projects including Uoya’s Container Machiya. The initiative involved the corner of a row of Kyoto machiya townhouses being covered with a steel frame, then combined with container units to create constructions that pay homage to the city’s rich architectural history while meeting the needs of today's lifestyle. In 2020, Container Machiya was selected for the JIA Young Architect Award, which recognises outstanding works by up-and-coming architects.
To illustrate the ‘materials’ with which Uoya works, this exhibition features the entire framework of a teahouse building that was earmarked for demolition, specially relocated from Kyoto’s Gojo district.