LABORATORIES
LABORATORIES

Field of researchArchitectural planning

Field of specializationArchitectural ⁄ City planning, architectural design

When taking the practical standpoint of designing a single building in a modern city, we believe it is important to review areas and urban spaces as architectural units and their aggregates, and draw on that when introducing planning technology to create a more fulfilling environment. In this laboratory, we conduct thorough fieldwork to develop the ability to "read" real-world architecture and urban spaces, and we evaluate spaces by collecting objective data and using mathematical analysis techniques. Our recent research topics include: research on the spatial configuration of urban housing in Asia and Europe, research on spatial forms in buildings and cities, and research on space design in town development. In our research on urban housing, we have traveled to Tokyo, Kyoto, Hanoi, Barcelona, Seoul, Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong looking for the high-density housing which is rapidly being lost in the process of urban development. As a space design for town development, we are working to restore the Fukagawa shopping street in downtown Tokyo.

Field of researchBuilding construction and planning

Field of specializationRehabilitation, Building construction history, Residents control of habitation, self-build construction

We are conducting researches from the viewpoints of typology of construction technology, historical transition and transformation of built environment. Our recent studies are 1) Experimental study of self-built construction focused on Catalan vault and a wooden post-and-beam frame for DIY, 2) Analysis of methodology and technology of restoration works of modern architecture, 3) Construction characteristics of transitional period especially from masonry brick construction to reinforced concrete, and industrialization of construction in the 1960s, 3)Temporal and permanent capacity of dismantling-possible wooden post-and-beam construction, 4) Residents control of habitation on housing process, and 5) Typological study on the renovation in the dense residential areas of wooden houses.

Field of researchArchitectural history and design

Field of specializationhistory of modern architecture, preservation ⁄ restoration planning, design

The city of today is not something that just appeared one day, but an extension of all the past that came before it. It leads to the future. In this laboratory, we conduct research on urban & architectural history with a focus on modern Japan & East Asia. It is. At that time, we consider the relationship between the space & the society behind it, rather than the good or bad of the space as it exists today. We will apply our research on architecture & the city from a historical point of view to the future of towns & regions, the city I would like to connect this to the design of the space.

Keywords:
Modern Architectural History, Urban History, History of housing complexes, Historical Environment, Urban Heritage, History of the fire prevention

Research Themes:
- Urban & Architectural Studies on the Changes in Modern Tokyo
- Historical research on the design & technology of modern buildings & civil engineering facilities for disaster prevention & fireproofing
- Research on Collective Housing & Apartment Building in Modern Times- Research on the conservation & restoration of the historical environment

Field of researchArchitectural design

Field of specializationArchitectural design, urban planning

Positing that architecture is the consequence of thinking and making, and vice versa, we appreciate the reciprocity between knowledge and action, or logic and intuition, throughout the architectural process. Our research questions correspond to the understanding of architecture as adjacent to technologies, societies, and the arts. By way of 1:1 scale fabrication, we attempt to further examine its effects and outcomes.

Research themes:
- Projects and historical analysis related to craft, art, and design
- Investigations and applications of materials, construction techniques, and technologies
- Urban research on public spaces and manufacturing networks

Field of researchEnvironment engineering

Field of specializationThermal environment, air-conditioning equipment

We are conducting research on methods of air-conditioning control using fewer resources more efficiently, while maintaining the indoor environment in a healthy and thermally comfortable condition. To achieve that, we are using measurement of actual buildings and computer simulations to research architectural design techniques such as reinforcement of insulation and appropriate placement of windows, and methods of evaluating such techniques. We are also conducting research on methods of coordinating air-conditioning with the opening and closing of windows in homes, and research on methods of optimal control for air-conditioning systems in large buildings.

Field of researchArchitectural Environmental Engineering, Architectural Equipment Engineering, Computational Fluid Engineering

Field of specializationAir environment, thermal environment, environmental simulation

In order for residents of architectural spaces to live safer & more comfortable lives, design technology that can correctly predict & evaluate various invisible conditions that occur inside & outside of buildings & respond appropriately is necessary. To this end, our research group is conducting a wide range of predictions & evaluations regarding thermal & air environments, thermal comfort for the human body, ventilation efficiency, indoor pollutant concentrations, viral infections, fires & wind damage, energy-saving architecture, smart cities, digital twins, & more.

〇 Research topic:
・Passive design (GA, optimal design) ・Ventilation efficiency (ventilation, natural ventilation, ventilation system) ・Open-gate cooling (air leakage, energy saving) ・Natural energy (solar power, wind power, geothermal heat) ・Infection control (virus, particle behavior) ・Vertical farming (Vertical farming, IPE)

〇 policy:
・Our small research can lead to world peace!
・Happiness is being grateful for everything in the world!

Field of researchArchitectural structure, structural design, structural technology, structural materials, impact resistance engineering

Field of specializationStructural design & supervision, seismic diagnosis & renovation design, seismic isolation & vibration control, new materials, disaster prevention, impact resistance testing & analysis

The laboratory focuses on the practice of architectural structures with a focus on structural design practice, & has the vision of "Falling in love with architectural structural technology & designing society with architectural structural technology" under the spirit of "Let's disseminate the world's first structural technology from the Katsushika Campus!!" In addition, the laboratory is also active in volunteer activities, & is actively involved in disaster prevention classes at the Science Yume Kobo Ridai Festival, after-school disaster prevention classes, & Kids Base Camp.

Field of researchSteel structure, earthquake engineering

Field of specializationPerformance design methods, structural mechanics, applied mechanics, highly non-linear problems, hybrid experiments

On many occasions in recent years, people have experienced the nightmare of human lives being lost in building collapses due to unprecedented natural and human-caused disasters. These tragedies show us that building performance requirements continue to change with the times. When discussing safety, the single indicator of conventional quake-resistance is not enough. We are faced with an era where we need to consider new concepts in design. Massive physical and economic losses were also sustained due to these disasters, and society's need to preserve property has increased. Furthermore, awareness of global environmental problems is rising, and we now need to discuss the potential for long-term sustained use of buildings. To address these next-generation performance requirements, we are working to restore and effectively use steel-frame structures as existing stock. We are also conducting research on restorability with the aim of continuous use, and renewal of structure performance, while taking into account the option of hybrid structures, which are primarily steel-frame structures.

Field of researchBuilding materials

Field of specializationConservation of RC buildings, recycling of building materials, creep and shrinkage of Concrete

Performance of building changes with time. Maintenance of historical buildings is a matter of social concern. Research on conservation of building from view point of materials is performed at laboratory. On the other hands, environmental impact of building materials is significant. Hence environment-conscious materials and systems is a key for sustainable development of the world. Use of by-products in cementitious materials is an effective way to achieve this purpose. At laboratory, following research topics are prepared.
1) Conservation and renovation of historical building from view point of material durability
2) Service life prediction of buildings
3) Maintenance of building exteriors
4) Durability of damaged concrete structure
5) Development of new building system with rammed earth
6) Control of cracking RC structures
7) Repair of deteriorated timber

Field of researchStructural Engineering

Field of specializationFire Resistance Performance, Seismic Performance, Repair and Reinforcement Technology

Buildings have the possibility of experiencing a variety of disasters during their lifetime. It is also important to quickly restore the various functions of buildings, such as housing, commerce, and medical care, and to resume economic activities after a disaster. In this laboratory, research is conducted to clarify the mechanical behavior of buildings during and after disasters such as earthquakes and fires, and to allow rational structural design. Structural materials include concrete, steel, wood, and environmentally considerate materials that have been recently focused on and developed.

Field of researchApplied mathematics, Structural engineering

Field of specializationApplied mechanics, Optimum design, Computational solid mechanics

We study about new design methods by the mathematics-based approaches from the perspective of structural performance, economy, designability & workability as follows:

(1) Structural optimization of buildings:
We develop structural design methods of buildings by structural optimization approach that minimizes a cost function for given design conditions. In this topic, we concentrate on assessment of seismic risk &/or life cycle cost, & artificial intelligence in design.

(2) Robust design optimization:
We aim realization of rational robust design of structures. Structural optimization approach can serve as a useful framework of the robust design. We study what type of structural system has high robustness & how robustness of the system is improved.

(3) Structural morphogenesis of spatial structures:
To propose a rational structural design method of spatial structures, we focus on the relation between form resistance & vibration control of the structure. We also study mathematics-based design method of free-form shell structures, membrane structure, tensegrity & cable net.

Considering that architectural design is largely a technical endeavor, we strengthen the logical thinking required for architectural design by discussing ongoing case studies & literature review, & also by considering collaboration with other specialized fields. As for the practice of urban development, we make proposals in real areas & examine the proposals against realistic conditions to explore architecture that connects with society & the environment.