On a trip to Japan in June 2024 I worked on a photographical documentation of residentital as well as public buildings by the late Kazuo Shinohara. With huge fascination for the combination of abstract theoretical thought and mathmatically understood constructive planning I planned this trip to see as many of the still existing structures as anyhow possible. Due to their highly valued degree of privacy and clearly divided understanding of architectural planning vs. the personal inhabiting, there aren't many —to none— public documentations of several Shionhara buildings besides the series of Koji Taki displaying photos along and directed by the original planing of Shionhara and several photographies done by Hiroshi Ueda around 2011 for the „2G“ Edition.
My research leading up to the trip showed several diffictulties, but at the same time led to one of my main motives for later on concluding the to be made documentary in one print format. Many of Shionhara‘s buildings were at that point vacant, on the edge of decay or in my studying group not known as historically relevant.
The book „XVI-Houses-by-Kazuo-Shionhara“, as well as „JIA-AIJ“ and „Nihon Nikki“ are primarily to be understood as subjects of my private studies. Precisely because of the protected nature of these private spaces and the fact that access was only granted under certain conditions, I have only sold prints from this edition to participants or acquaintances in university at cost price – not in any form for commercial gain.
