Japan House São Pauloトピックス

Prefabricated Anatomy: one way of living in Japan

The original exhibition explores the historical development of prefabricated housing in Japan, tracing its roots back to the post-war reconstruction era, and also highlights sustainable living through the lenses of functionality, comfort, and design.

PREFABRICATED ANATOMY: ONE WAY OF LIVING IN JAPAN

Prefabrication is a construction technique where some or all building components are manufactured in a factory and then assembled at the construction site. The construction of Japanese prefabricated houses, which integrates design with material optimization, has enhanced the efficiency of the building process and improved the quality of life for both residents and the broader community.

The exhibition explores the world of contemporary Japanese prefabricated construction through a full-scale model and detailed mock-ups, and also features a timeline highlighting key milestones in the history of prefabricated buildings in Japan, from the 1950s to the present. This timeline was specially developed for Japan House São Paulo by Yoshikuni Shirai, guest professor at the Faculty of Environment and Information Studies at Keio University and Editor-in-Chief of Sustainable Japan Magazine by The Japan Times.

JAPANESE TECHNOLOGY + PREFABRICATED HOUSING

In the exhibition space, curated by JHSP cultural director Natasha Barzaghi Geenen, visitors will find a full-scale section of a house created by VUILD. The model on display is part of the NESTING series, which allows customers to design their own homes using pre-established templates available through an app. Made from wood processed via digital manufacturing, the homes can be assembled with the help of family and friends. Next to the house, the exhibition also displays its individual components and construction elements separately, as if dissecting the structure to reveal its anatomy.

The exhibition also includes a model of Marebito in ie, another initiative by VUILD aimed at revitalizing depopulated mountainous regions. It proposes the construction of shared-ownership accommodations to encourage the ongoing flow of people in these areas, promoting a lifestyle that goes beyond tourism without requiring permanent residence. The project, which leverages digital manufacturing technology, seeks to optimize the use of local forest resources by using regional wood to build both the house and its furniture. It prioritizes the use of cross-laminated timber (CLT) as a sustainable alternative to concrete.

As an example of prefabricated housing innovations focused on safety, protection, disaster prevention, and comfort, the exhibition also includes a tactile model showcasing a thermal insulation system. This system minimizes the impact of external temperatures, prevents condensation within walls, and lowers heating and cooling costs, highlighting advanced Japanese technology.

IN THE WORDS OF CURATOR NATASHA BARZAGHI GEENEN:

“The goal is to allow the public to engage with the scale of a few contemporary housing models in Japan while also encouraging reflection on how these solutions might be adapted to the Brazilian context. Our proposal is to foster dialogue around new construction methods, encouraging partnerships between Brazil and Japan to develop increasingly sustainable models of smart housing”.

“More than just a focus on resources and design, our aim is to connect visitors with the strong sense of responsibility that the Japanese embody—the understanding that they are part of a greater whole and that their actions should contribute to the betterment of society. These housing models show concern for the whole, for the community and the environment in which they live, going far beyond aesthetics and mere empathy.”

THE DIFFERENT WAYS TO SET UP THE SAME SPACE

In the outdoor area of JHSP, visitors are invited to experience elements inspired by traditional Japanese homes, such as flexible, customizable rooms defined by sliding doors known as “fusuma” and floors covered with “tatami” mats. Children and adults alike will have the opportunity to play with reconfigurable spaces using movable structures, offering a hands-on way to explore and experience these concepts of spatial flexibility.

JHSP ACCESSIBLE PROGRAM

The exhibition is also part of the JHSP Accessible program, offering tactile resources, audio descriptions and videos in sign language to provide accessibility to all visitors.

EXHIBITION // PREFABRICATED ANATOMY: ONE WAY OF LIVING IN JAPAN

#UmMorarNoJapão #PréFabricada #CasaNaJHSP

Period: July 1 to October 19, 2025

Free admission

JHSP Accessible program: tactile resources, audio descriptions and videos in sign language.

Early online booking (optional):

https://agendamento.japanhousesp.com.br

Japan House São Paulo | Ground floor

Adress: Avenida Paulista, 52 – Bela Vista, São Paulo

Opening hours:

Tuesday to Friday, from 10 am to 6 pm;

Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, from 10 am to 7 pm.