S T U D I E s
– Smart Decline –
Creating environments favourable to all living things is the universal goal of architecture. This laboratory approaches that goal through research activities spanning resources, materials, construction methods, architecture, and urbanism. Our research is broadly categorised into three areas: “Smart Decline” of the built environment, “Traditional Knowledge”-based architecture that is both ancient and new, and “Regenerative Education” powered by architecture.
Within ‘Smart Decline’, we evaluate how the built environment should be reduced – spanning scales from individual buildings to neighbourhoods – from perspectives such as LCCO₂ and biodiversity. This addresses concerns arising from increasing vacant properties due to population decline and migration to cities, which heighten risks of collapse and fire while degrading public safety and aesthetics.
‘Traditional Knowledge’ recognises that learning from the past to inform the future, as encapsulated in the phrase ‘温故知新’ (wengu zhixin), remains vital in architecture. It quantitatively assesses traditional building materials and techniques across structural, environmental, and design dimensions, exploring how they can adapt to contemporary lifestyles and societal conditions.
‘Regenerative Education through the Power of Architecture’ focuses on architecture's role in human growth, learning, and societal sustainability. It explores the nature of built environments and educational methodologies that contribute to nurturing the next generation of leaders.
