An architecture of symbiosis: an intercultural viewpoint

Abstract

This report investigates and tests the validity of Kisho Kurokawa's intercultural viewpoint within contemporary architectural culture. It is essentially a study of Kurokawa's 'philosophy of symbiosis' and its architectural manifestation, and is followed by an application of the philosophy against three contemporary works of architecture built in Japan by foreign architects. These works of architecture are studied in terms of Kurokawa's philosophies to determine if an intercultural architecture, as argued by Kurokawa's symbiotic theory, is evident. Within the narrow confines of this research, the report validifies Kurokawa's symbiotic theory and supports his claim that a truly intercultural architecture is evident.