Exhibition: Designing from Toyama, Rural Japan Opening talk

Student Perspectives on Architecture Materials and Community in Rural Japan

An exhibition curated and presented by University of Toyama Architecture Students with Dr Yusuke Yabutani [University of Toyama] and Prof Rosangela Tenorio [UWA]

Hiyori Abe

Nao Otsuka

Maki Kuroyama

Chiharu Tanaka

Ami Ishihara

Nonoka Ueda

Yuri Usui

Hana Mochizuki

Saki Tomiyoshi

Yu Nishimura

Suzuyo Yonezawa

Dr Yusuke Yabutani, University of Toyama

Yusuke Yabutani is an architect and practice-based researcher based in Toyama Prefecture, Japan, specializing in renovation and community design. His work explores how architectural thinking—reading the specific qualities of context and reconstructing relationships among people, space, and time—can generate emergent forms of community and value through interaction. Moving between practice and research, he investigates ways to reinterpret existing buildings and local resources through participation, learning, and care. His own house, sansensoubunko, a partially self-renovated farmhouse, received the AIJ Young Architect Award for Selected Architectural Designs and other recognitions in Japan. Dr Yabutani will be in residency at the School of Design from 25th Setpember – 3rd October 2026. He will also bring a delegation of 11 Architecture students to offer an exchange programme at the School of Design, comprising of a practical workshop, public lecture and exhibition along with tailored activities for students taking part on the Bio-Based materials in global settings [Social Impact Focus Area] and Studio Japan 2 - Nikkei.