Constructing Practice: TERRAIN architects

Fumi Kashimura of TERRAIN architects talks about the importance of understanding local contexts and individual needs, while still maintaining a critical distance to their work. Constructing Practice traces the narratives of young firms from around the globe, featuring the participants of a Columbia GSAPP symposium that took place on November 17, 2017, and expands the conversation to include many others to tell us how they do what they do. Hosted by GSAPP Professor Juan Herreros, principal of Estudio Herreros in Madrid.

Founded in 2011 by Ikko Kobayashi and Fumi Kashimura, TERRAIN architects is a Tokyo-based architecture studio that has designed buildings in Indonesia, Japan, and Africa. Their very first project was Endang Library in Chirebon, Java, Indonesia; a small library located in a remote village awarded JCD Design award in 2012. The practice is dedicated to providing indigenous design solutions utilizing local skills and materials in order to fit into local climate, culture, and communities.

“I think one reason why we travel a lot is, not to see famous architecture, designed by super-famous architects, but to see the usual or normal architecture, to see people’s lives.” – Fumi Kashimura

Listen on iTunes