Kizuki-au 築き合う－Collaborative Constructions

“Kizuki-au 築き合う – Collaborative Constructions” brings together the expertise and creativity of two top Swiss and Japanese institutions – ETH Zurich and the University of Tokyo – in the form of a diptych installation by Gramazio Kohler Research and T_ADS Obuchi Lab. The resulting timber structure and climatic ‘noren’ explore digital processes in architecture, human-robot interactions and cross-pollination between technology and culture.  

Gramazio Kohler Research’s three-storey all-timber frame structure revives the long history of expert timber construction in Japan through Swiss design and technology. More than a thousand bespoke timber elements have been robotically prefabricated in the world-renowned Robotic Fabrication Laboratory at ETH Zurich, making metal parts, nails, screws or fasteners obsolete. Designed to withstand earthquakes and storms, the towering structure activates its surrounding neighbourhood and landscape, while the wooden terrace or Japanese engawa serves as a meeting point for the community.

On the other hand, T_ADS Obuchi Lab ‘s project resembles a traditional noren with its gate-like structure and its large screen made from hanging pottery chains. It not only welcomes the visitors but also acts as a natural climate control through the pottery’s evaporative cooling effect. While the pattern of the hanging chains appears to be random at first glance, its generation requires an intricate algorithm, bringing human and machine together.

Collaborative Constructions also constitutes the first project of Vitality.Swiss, Switzerland’s public diplomacy program on the road to Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai, featuring Sustainability, Health and Innovation as main themes. Please feel free to visit the installation during the exhibition period from July 30 to October 10 (11:00 - 19:00).

Collaborative Constructions is an initiative of the Embassy of Switzerland in Japan, ETH Zurich and the University of Tokyo, in collaboration with Shimizu Corporation. The project is part of Vitality.Swiss, Switzerland’s program on the road to Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai.

Please feel free to come earlier to enjoy the other Aichi Triennale art installations throughout Tokoname City.

Period: July 30 to October 10, 2022 (11:00 – 19:00)

Venue: Sakae-cho 7-chome, Tokoname-shi, Aichi, Japan

More info: www.aichi.vitality.swiss