Japan's Clever Buildings: A Showcase of Resilience
Built Environment: An Alternative Guide to Japan
The Université du Québec à Montréal's Centre de design is hosting an exhibition titled "Built Environment: An Alternative Guide to Japan." This showcase will be open until January 25, 2026, and features 80 projects from across Japan's 47 prefectures.
Highlighted Architects
The exhibition includes works by renowned architects such as:
- Shigeru Ban
- Kengo Kuma
- Arata Isozaki
Focus on Resilience
The show emphasizes how Japan's architecture and landscapes adapt to natural disasters and climate change. Japan faces extreme weather conditions like earthquakes, typhoons, and tsunamis, and its infrastructure is designed to withstand these challenges.
Exhibition Design
The display is structured like a bird's-eye view of Japan, with projects arranged on origami-inspired plywood structures that resemble a map of Japan. Video projections enhance the experience.
Roundtable Discussion
A roundtable discussion on January 21, 2026, will explore resilience in the built environment in both Quebec and Japan.
Visit Details
- Location: Downtown Montreal
- Hours: Wednesday to Sunday
- Admission: Free
Inspiration for Quebec
Patrick Evans, the director of the Centre de design, notes that the exhibition offers inspiring examples for Quebec to rethink its own built environment. Japan's architecture has evolved over thousands of years, adapting to and enduring extreme environmental forces.
