Editor

Wataru Iwasaki

After studying architectural design and urban theory at the Graduate School of Shibaura Institute of Technology, I currently work at an architectural design firm in Tokyo. I am the main author and creator of this website.

Why I Started This Blog

This blog was born during my university years amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Isolated from people and unable to meet others, I was looking for an opportunity to output and share what I was studying about architecture. This desire to connect and express myself online was the beginning of everything.

Since then, as restrictions have lifted, I have expanded my horizons. I now travel not only across Japan but also overseas, visiting diverse architectural spaces. This blog serves as a platform to share the raw knowledge, insights, and perspectives I gain from these journeys.

My Approach to Writing: Bridging the Gap

When I write, I always keep one strict rule in mind: my content must be accessible and engaging for everyone—from complete novices to architectural professionals.

This approach stems from a profound gap I noticed while studying architecture at university. While academic theories and idealistic spaces taught in classrooms are undoubtedly important, the reality of Japan’s urban landscape is quite different. The architectural phenomena and ideal spaces we discuss in academia exist only in a tiny fraction of the real world. In reality, the vast majority of buildings are constructed strictly based on economic principles and commercial efficiency.

That is why I choose to take off the high-brow academic lens. Instead, as a fellow urban dweller living in the real world, I re-examine architecture through the eyes and sensibilities of an ordinary citizen—a "layperson of the city."

By visiting and evaluating buildings from this grounded perspective, I aim to articulate architectural thoughts and ideas that resonate with anyone, whether you are a seasoned professional or someone who has never studied architecture before.