My dream is to design architecture that pursues invisible values such as symbolism, memory, and attachment. I am currently majoring in architecture at university. This dream was triggered by an episode of a train station called “Kunitachi Station” in Tokyo, which I used when I was a high school student. The old station building, with its iconic red and triangular roof, was demolished due to the construction of a new station. Then, citizens started a movement to reconstruct the building, and in response, the government decided to build it again. This episode made me realize that architecture is something that remains strongly in people’s memories and becomes a symbol of the city. At that time, I strongly felt that I would like to make this invisible value as my theme in designing architecture.
In general, for the sake of modernization and economic rationality, old buildings, for example Harajuku station in Tokyo, which was constructed a century ago or the former Kunitachi station have been demolished and new buildings have been built continuously in recent years. This generates a large amount of waste and consumes significant costs and resources for construction. In addition, not only environmental aspects, but also history and memories are being destroyed, and sustainability in a broader sense seems to be lost.
Currently, I am conducting research on the renewal of historical buildings, such as the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, which was formerly a train station converted into a museum. I am sure that it is important not only to preserve and protect buildings, but also to actively update them to meet the needs of the modern age. In doing so, I am aiming to establish a renewal method while valuing symbolism, memory, and people’s attachment, which cannot be measured quantitatively or be visible.
In the future, I would like to become an architect who can reinterpret the value of historical and traditional architecture, for example shrines and timber houses in Japan in a modern way and update them creatively. I hope that all existing buildings will be embraced by the people and accumulate their own value over time.