Japan's Clever Buildings: A Showcase of Resilience

Japan's buildings and landscapes are on display in Montreal. The show is called "Built Environment: An Alternative Guide to Japan. " It is at the Université du Québec à Montréal's Centre de design. This show is open until January 25, 2026. It features 80 projects from all over Japan. These projects are from Japan's 47 prefectures. Famous architects like Shigeru Ban, Kengo Kuma, and Arata Isozaki are included. The show focuses on how Japan's buildings and landscapes handle natural disasters and climate change. Japan is a country with many different landscapes and weather conditions. It has earthquakes, typhoons, and tsunamis. The buildings and infrastructure in Japan are designed to withstand these extreme conditions. The show aims to give a new perspective on Japan's architecture and landscapes. It is organized by the Japan Foundation and supported by the Consulate General of Japan in Montreal.The show is designed like a bird's-eye view of Japan. The projects are displayed on origami-inspired structures. These structures are made of plywood and arranged like a map of Japan. Video projections add to the experience. There will also be a roundtable discussion on January 21, 2026. This discussion will talk about resilience in the built environment in both Quebec and Japan. The show is free to visit from Wednesday to Sunday. It is located in downtown Montreal. The director of the Centre de design, Patrick Evans, says that the show provides inspiring examples. These examples can help Quebec rethink its own built environment. Japan's architecture has evolved over thousands of years. It has learned to adapt to and withstand extreme environmental forces.