What is material architecture? / It is not a trend or a method, but an "attitude" towards architecture

What is material architecture?

It is not simply about "architecture using natural materials."

Just using wood, earth, stone, and plaster does not make it a material building.
The essence lies in the "attitude" towards the materials.

In today's world of mass production, homogenization, and efficiency, architecture is being cataloged.
Select the product number, compare performance, and decide based on construction time and cost.

That's not a bad thing in itself.
However, this method alone does not create spatial depth.

What is material architecture?

It is an architectural philosophy that is based on understanding the characteristics of materials, making judgments on site, and developing over time.

1 | Definition of Material Architecture

Material architecture is not architecture that makes the material itself the main focus.

It's actually the opposite.

Architecture that enhances the quality of space while drawing out the power of materials.

The material here is

wood
土
plaster
石
tile

This includes not only natural materials such as those mentioned above, but also steel, concrete and glass.

The important thing is to understand the "physical properties" of the material.

How to incorporate light
How does it change over time?
How to give a sense of touch
How to absorb heat

Understand these and incorporate them into your design.

That is material architecture.

2 | Why Catalog Architecture is Not Enough

Much of modern architecture can be described as "catalog architecture."

Select by product number
Compare by performance
Easy to install
Construction period is easy to read

It's rational and efficient.
But there is one weakness.

It's likely to be the same space everywhere.
The catalogue is based on the highest common denominator.

Conditions that are only valid for that place, that company, that person, and that time tend to be ignored.
As a result, space becomes homogenized.

Material architecture does the opposite.
Accepting the individual differences in materials and making fine adjustments on-site, we create a space that is unique to that place.
That's a lot of work.
But it does create depth in the space.

3 | Three Elements of Material Architecture

① Understanding the material

Materials are not about appearance.

For example, even with wood,

Dry condition
Origin
Processing method
Painted or not

The expression changes.

The same goes for soil and plaster.

The shade changes depending on the mixture and application method.

Understanding materials does not mean looking at a spec sheet, but touching, inspecting, and seeing them in person.

② On-site judgment

Materials architecture is not completed with just blueprints.
on site,

Check the construction status
Adjust the thickness of the finish
Fine-tune the color

The accumulation of these decisions determines the quality of the space.

The reason designers are on-site is to make decisions, not to manage.

The drawings are just a premise.
The space will be completed on site.

③ Time axis

In material construction, "completion" is not the goal.

The wood deepens in color
Stone weathers
Metals oxidize
The plaster gradually gains strength

Time will be on your side.

On the other hand, catalog architecture can be vulnerable to time.
If a product number is discontinued, repairs will be difficult.
The material has a uniform appearance, so changes over time are less likely to affect its value.

Material architecture is
It's designed to mature over time.

4. The impact of material architecture on corporate culture

In corporate facilities, materials are more than just a finishing touch.
Employees and visitors unconsciously read a company's attitude from the space.

Do you use genuine materials?
Is it carefully made?
Are you accepting changes over time?

Material architecture makes a company's values visible.

Is it a short-term cost focus?
Is it a long-term cultural investment?

Space doesn't lie.
Material architecture is the foundation that supports corporate culture.

5 | Differences from natural material construction

"Natural material architecture" and "material architecture" may seem similar, but they are different.
Using natural materials does not make it a material building.

The important thing is,

Do you understand the material?
The right person in the right place?
Are you adjusting it on-site?

Simply using natural materials as decoration does not constitute a philosophy.

Material building does not "consume" materials.
We “communicate” with the materials.

6. Material architecture is not a trend

In recent years, there has been a boom in natural materials.
However, people will eventually tire of natural materials as a trend.

Material architecture is not a trend.
It's an attitude.

Choose quality over efficiency
Embrace individuality over uniformity
Prioritize the time horizon over the short term

As long as this attitude is maintained, material architecture will remain timeless.

7 | Material Architecture is the idea of "not letting architecture be consumed"

An era in which architecture has become a consumer good.
Only the photos of the finished product are appreciated, spread on social media, and quickly forgotten.

Material architecture resists this trend.
A texture that can't be conveyed in a photo.
You can't understand the depth unless you experience it.
I will cherish that.

Finally | What is Material Architecture?

Understand the material
Decide on the spot
Growing over time

It is the attitude of architecture.
This is true not only for natural materials, but for all types of architecture.

Whether it's a corporate facility, a villa/home, or a public space.
Material architecture is a philosophy for deepening the quality of space.

It's not a trend or a performance.
It is the very attitude towards architecture.

What is material architecture? The essence of architecture that uses natural materials,
From the differences with catalogue architecture to on-site judgment and the concept of time axis,
We will explain this from both an ideological and practical perspective.