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James Lambiasi, AIA, is a founding member of AIA Japan, served as its president in 2008 and is currently directing the CES lecture series. Originally from Virginia, he has been a practicing Architect in Tokyo for 16 years, where he is also a visiting lecturer at two local architecture schools. Three years ago be began his own practice, Lambiasi + Hayashi Architects. Below he discusses his experience in the March 11 earthquake that devastated northern Japan. Where do you live and did the earthquake or tsunami have an effect on you personally? Was there any damage in and around the area you live in? I live in Tokyo and was here when the earthquake hit. Despite being in a sturdy low-rise concrete building it swayed back and forth, toppling the bookcases inside. Many buildings suffered cracks but I have seen no major damage. After the initial scare the main issue for us in Tokyo was to figure out how to get home with the train system down. I am very fortunate to say that I have no friends or family that this tragedy affected directly. That said, however, I would say that my family and friends in the US suffered more worry over the incident than I did myself, as the international media made the image of being in Tokyo much grimmer than it actually was. I think the answer to this question will unfold in the months and years to come, but to sum the experience up in one word, I think that “humbling” is the most appropriate. Most Tokyoites tend to be pretty cavalier about occasional earthquakes, but this one really took us all by surprise. As an architect I have always recognized the importance of earthquake regulations, gap tolerances, etc, but to see a 30 floor office building sway like a reed was truly surreal. Like with so many lessons one learns in life, our safe living environment should not be taken for granted. Obviously there is still dire need for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in the Touhoku area. For those able to leave, housing and refuge can be offered in various parts of Japan, but many are not willing to leave and are still in refuge shelters. So although at this point the basic necessities are being provided, the victims themselves are still grieving for loved ones who have been lost while dealing with the growing psychological problem of living with no privacy. Although relief work is proceeding and immediate needs are being met, dissatisfaction with the pace of relief will certainly remain an issue. Now that one month has passed to organize a bit, it now easier for individuals to volunteer to help, for example my college alumni organization here has organized vans to bring supplies. Regarding myself, I am very interested in the efforts of Architecture for Humanity, which is making a great effort to utilize the talents of architecture offices in Japan and around globe to make buildings that will act as catalyst for change. I feel that the AIA can utilize its role as a professional organization to disseminate the great amount of knowledge we may reap from this tragedy. Japan will have years of construction work on its hands to rebuild the affected areas, and in many ways I know the world will be impressed at its ability to do this, just as they did after WWII. Therefore I think that as Japan learns from this, it will be up to the AIA to see what construction methods and regulations can apply to our own country. Conversely, I also feel there are areas of knowledge possessed elsewhere that Japan needs to wake up to. For example, most people see technologically advanced Japan (home of the Prius) as a leading force in sustainability, but the sad fact is that government regulations and education in college lag behind the export industries here. I really hope that instead of finding other methods of producing electricity during the ongoing nuclear crisis, Japan takes this opportunity to embrace sustainability have a more miserly attitude toward lighting and insulation. This is an area where I think the AIA could offer support and knowledge.
The letters of concern from AIA colleagues, as well as this opportunity to answer your questions, helps me to realize the great value for professionals like ourselves to exchange knowledge, ideas, and ultimately support each other in times like this. I am also grateful that I have been able to provide a personal viewpoint to my colleagues abroad, since the media tends to oversimplify or overdramatize things. In one sense the very strict building regulations here have certainly paid off, as this tragedy has basically been about the tsunami and nuclear power plant reactor, not collapsing buildings. I also consider the very civilized behavior of the Japanese people as a vital aspect of the overall infrastructure, as it has enabled to maintain normalcy despite the scale of this event, becoming a very proud moment for Japan. Nevertheless, after experiencing this I can definitely feel the vulnerability of living in a metropolis of 35 million people. Tokyo is overdue for a major earthquake itself, and no matter how hard we try to prepare, my feeling is the scale will overwhelm available relief. It has made me reassess the emergency provisions in my own home. I believe the nuclear crisis is a many-headed beast that we have yet to fully comprehend. Radiation is still leaking, the evacuation zone is being increased, knowledge about what really happened is be doled out in bits and pieces by TEPCO, and as of yesterday the crisis has been rated as level 7, the most severe grade on par with Chernobyl. More so than the earthquake we experienced, I would say my most frightening memory of this ordeal was when the news came out that Tokyo tap water was not safe for small children, and within hours all of the bottled water in the city was sold out. It certainly makes one rethink the safety of nuclear power, and it is bound to exasperate the existing global warming crisis. As an architect it has given me further motivation to pursue more sustainable design principles, and repeat the mantra USE LESS. Also, it has been very interesting to see that, in general, people here in Tokyo more or less believe the information provided by the Japanese government, which in my opinion has been pretty dodgy. I think this is because people innately want to believe that things will turn out OK, and have a false sense of security. The stoic ability of the Japanese to accept conditions is seen as their strength, but in this case I hope they can develop a healthier skepticism of the government and question more. Expect the unexpected, and think hard about how your own community will be able to cope with the same kind of situation. I feel the reasons Japan is so well equipped to deal with a situation like this is its strong health care system, low crime rate, and strict gun control, all things I wish we could have more of in the United States. In so many ways, building stronger communities will be the answer to many of our problems. |
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James Lambiasi, AIA, Lambiasi + Hayashi Architects, Inc., Tokyo, Japan. Photo Credit: Koichi Mori
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