Fitting wooden joints together like complex puzzle pieces, tsugite is a traditional Japanese technique struggling in the face of ever-tightening regulations, but modern architects are refusing to let it be forgotten.
Japanese furniture retailers: Embracing the aesthetic
Japanese furniture favours the nation's age-old aesthetic which embodies a deep preference for functionality, simplicity and humble beauty. Tokyo's home-grown furniture stores are a blend of affordable, unusual and unique items perfect for a new home.
Waterworks: Fluidity and movement in the designs of SANAA
Inviting guests to relax beneath rivers and students to study amidst the waves, architectural firm SANAA allows water to inspire its creations — binding concept, structure and function into a single stream of design.
Living in a material world: The creations of architect Kengo Kuma
A firm believer in the power of nature, Kengo Kuma's creations have evolved alongside his views, creating spaces which frame nature, but also embrace and energize the traditional materials which abound from it.