Like being born and growing up, everyone, everything has their origin. Traditional architecture maintains our link to the past. Our designs and ideas don’t just spring up from thin air. They are thought and created by the influence of the past. Letting us know what already works and doesn’t work, the past helps us develop ourselves. This also goes for Architecture. Traditional architecture can help us develop our own current designs by learning and observing how traditional architecture was influenced to be designed the way it is. On top of that, the type of traditional architecture also plays an important part of design development. Traditional Japanese Architecture, for example, is heavily influenced by Shinto and Buddhist beliefs. Additionally, their architecture was influenced by many other characters like climate and material. 

Japan’s Shinto and Buddhist beliefs have influenced its architecture greatly from its site to the material. They influence the design of their buildings to reflect strongly on the emphasis on humans’ relationship with nature. The focus in natural light and the use of natural wood in its raw form are characteristics of this. Another keyway of designing they do is strategically designing the houses in way to offer good views into nature (changes of seasons). Buildings would be created to bring a connection between humanity and nature. Examples of this is placing a site near a lake, or specific type of landscaping. On top of that, the building itself would sort of reflect and adapt with the landscape the site would be located in. 

Traditional Japanese house in Kobe-shi, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan - Credit: Image by Halfrain via Flickr licensed under

Like how other types of architecture are influenced by their location and climate, so does Japanese architecture. The location plays an important part in architecture as a whole, such as material and of course design. Wood is known to be a prominent feature of traditional Japanese buildings. The dominance of wood is preferred over stone and other materials due to the risk of earthquakes. In traditional Japanese buildings, wood was given respect by not being painted over. This doesn’t conceal the natural raw material of wood letting it be appreciated in its true image. Additionally, traditional houses were built more to deal with the summer heat than the winter cold. This was due to the understanding that the cold could be dealt with by layers of clothing in the winter. Houses were built by light materials such as wood, bamboo, straw, and paper providing breezes to enter and air circulation for the heat to escape. Deep projecting roofs were designed to offer protection during the heavy monsoon rains while during the hot and humid summer, the Japanese created an illusion of coolness. This was done by utilizing the sound of running water and wind chimes making a sound at the slightest breeze. 

While many traditional building styles may seem “outdated” to our modern life right now. It is undeniable that the many techniques used and made in the past has influenced our own modern designs today and can help develop our designs for the future.