INSIGHTS

2025.11.28

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.59

Thinking about the future of "Inheritance Design" [Part 2]

Kazunori Nomura, Professor at Kanagawa University, Advisor to Mitsubishi Jisho Design Architectural Heritage Design Office

R&D DISCUSSION TOP

Top image: [Photo 1] Japan Industry Club Building, 2nd floor main hall

Q: Could you tell us about your subsequent projects and what research you are currently doing at university?

A: After the Kabukiza project, I compiled these methods in a book, "Reborn Historic Buildings: Methods for Preserving Valuable Historic Buildings in Urban Regeneration" (Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, 2014), and then wrote a doctoral thesis to earn a degree, aiming to become an expert in architectural preservation and utilization. I also worked on the preservation and renovation of Nagoya Bank Head Office（THE CONDER HOUSE 1926）, which changed its use from a bank to a wedding venue, and on the seismic renovation of the Keio University Old Library (an Important Cultural Property), which attempted to improve earthquake resistance without damaging the masonry structure. Furthermore, the results of the volunteer "Old Drawings Study Group," which has been active for 10 years, were published as "Marunouchi Architectural Drawings 1890-1973" (Shinkenchiku-sha, 2020) [Slide 1].

Now, using the architectural archives owned by Mitsubishi Estate Mitsubishi Jisho Design, "4D MARUNOUCHI" revives the architecture of Marunouchi from each era in the metaverse (virtual space) [Slide 2]. We started with the Marunouchi Building, and when the former Marunouchi Building was completed (1923), after the reconstruction from the Great Kanto Earthquake, we released a 3D model on the online game Fortnite that allows you to experience the three generations of the current "Marunouchi Building". You can freely walk around the exterior of the former Marunouchi Building and the cross arcade on the first floor, comparing the three eras. In the future, I plan to expand this to the entire Marunouchi. Based on 130 years of data evidence, the architecture of each year can be reproduced. If such a platform can be created, it will lead to the creation of new business opportunities, such as renting out spaces and holding events in virtual spaces. This is something that can only be done in Marunouchi, where the history of the town can be accurately traced for 130 years. Since 2022, I have been a university faculty member concurrently working as an office worker, and from this year I have become a full-time university teacher, but I would like to continue to cooperate with Mitsubishi Jisho Design as a laboratory and promote various initiatives together.

[Slide 1] "Marunouchi Architectural Drawings 1890-1973" (Shinkenchiku-sha, 2020)
[Slide 2] Construction of "4D MARUNOUCHI" where three generations can experience the "Maru Building" and the Marunouchi area in a metaverse
[Photo 2] Marunouchi Architectural Preservation Materials Warehouse

Q: What challenges do you think will arise in the future in terms of preserving the value of towns and architecture?

A: I think that future Inheritance Design will require us to seek out even more diverse ways of inheriting values in response to the demands of the times. I think that new themes and challenges that have never been seen before will emerge, but I always think about what our predecessors thought and how they built it. That is unique value, and I have been thinking about how to pass it on to the next generation.

As we've mentioned several times today, it takes time for the value of new architectural styles to be recognized. The standard for registration as a tangible cultural property is 50 years after completion, so now not only Modernism but also pre-1975 Postmodernism is included, but they are rapidly disappearing. Especially in big cities like Tokyo, buildings are demolished when they are no longer in use. Conversely, if they continue to be used, they will remain. I believe that with the passage of time, there will come a time when the value of any style will be discovered. To achieve this, it is important to get businesses and society to think, "Let's preserve them!", but this is quite a high hurdle.

It was against this backdrop that the TOKYO ARCHITECTURE FESTIVAL, which began last year, is an event designed to get the general public interested in urban architecture, rediscover the charm of Tokyo, and foster an attachment to it. I serve on the executive committee, and we plan a variety of events that allow people to experience architecture, incorporating not only historical buildings but also modern and contemporary architecture.

Also, starting this year, Mitsubishi Estate has launched a new initiative called the "Marunouchi Architectural Preservation Materials Warehouse" [Photo 2]. The facility organizes and stores preserved materials from the Marunouchi Building, Shin-Marunouchi Building (completed in 1952), Yaesu Building (completed in 1928), and the former Mitsubishi Ichigokan, which had been stored in warehouses until now, and serves as an exhibition space (Mitsubishi Jisho Design is assisting with the operation as an advisor). By interacting with these real objects and linking them to the virtual world using VR technology, as mentioned earlier, I believe the possibilities for value inheritance will expand.

Q: What have you learned through your research and educational activities at university? Also, what are your future prospects?

A: Kanagawa University, where I am currently enrolled, launched a School of Architecture in 2022. I teach the Urban Regeneration Course, which offers one of the few curriculums in Japan that systematically teaches architectural preservation and utilization. While Japanese universities teach architectural history and urban planning, they have not focused on preservation and utilization. Our campus is in Yokohama, and as an open port city, many Meiji and Taisho-era buildings still remain in the city. When I asked students about their favorite "historical" buildings, I was surprised to hear one mention the Yokohama Landmark Tower (1993), which was built in the Heisei era. Many people in their 30s and 40s today also mention postwar office buildings. This made me keenly aware that "history" is something that changes over time.

It was actually Marunouchi [Slide 3] that sparked my interest in urban history. I was born in Chofu, Tokyo, and grew up loving architecture and traveling. When I was 14, I planned a tour of Tokyo's tourist attractions with a friend from junior high school. While walking back and forth between Tokyo Station and Nijubashi Bridge at the Imperial Palace, I walked through the Marunouchi business district for the first time. Looking at the building signs, I noticed they all read "XX Building." I wondered why they weren't called "Birudi" and started taking photos, amused, when a police officer on patrol stopped me and took me into custody (lol). At the time, Marunouchi was a deserted area on Sundays, so a child walking around there must have been suspicious. From then on, I began walking around towns all over Japan. I was particularly interested in historical townscapes, as well as mountain and fishing villages. I continued traveling during my university years and even after I entered the workforce. There's practically no area in Japan I haven't visited. Of course, I still do, and in March of this year, I completed my tour of all the inhabited remote islands in Japan. By the way, when I say travel, I'm interested in villages, and I never go to so-called scenic spots or historical sites (laughs). I find it interesting to see and hear about the townscapes and people's lives that have been preserved in the area for generations [Photos 3 and 4].

I believe that in the future, the historic streetscapes of Tokyo and other urban areas will increasingly become a mix of modern, modernist, and postmodern styles. These streets, too, are imbued with the thoughts of many different people, including those who built them, used them, and preserved them. I hope to continue working with you to consider how we can pass on this unique value to the next generation.

[Slide 3] The Marunouchi business district (1970s) and Mr. Nomura as a young man, which sparked his interest in the history of the city
[Photos 3 and 4] Shimoguri Village in Nagano Prefecture (left) and Teba Island in Tokushima Prefecture (right)

[Photo 1: Photo courtesy of the Japan Industrial Club (as it is a members-only facility, the building is not open to the public) / 3 slides, Photos 2-4: provided by Kazunori Nomura]

Back to Part 2

PROFILE

Professor at Kanagawa University / Advisor to Mitsubishi Jisho Design Architectural Heritage Design Office

Kazunori Nomura

Kazunori Nomura

Born in Tokyo in 1964. Ph.D. in Engineering. After completing a Master's course at the Tokyo Institute of Technology in 1988, he joined Mitsubishi Estate Estate (architectural design and construction supervision Department). After working on the planning and design of the Marunouchi Reconstruction Masterplan, he joined Mitsubishi Jisho Design Jisho Sekkei in 2001 and has been involved in the design of numerous urban regeneration projects, including historical buildings. His representative works include The Industry Club of Japan,  Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking (2003, Architectural Institute of Japan Achievement Award), the Mitsubishi Ichigokan Restoration Plan (2009, Architectural Institute of Japan Achievement Award, Japan Construction Contractors Association Award), JP Tower (2012), and Ginza Kabukiza (2013). His publications include "Reborn Historical Buildings" (Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, 2014). He currently serves as an advisor to the Mitsubishi Jisho Design Architectural Heritage Design Office, a professor at Kanagawa University (since 2022), and a member of TOKYO ARCHITECTURE FESTIVAL Executive Committee.

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Update : 2025.11.28

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