Concrete Paradise: Okinawan Brutalist Architecture (Live Webinar)

Brutalist architecture on Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture was born of necessity, as seasonal typhoons are commonplace and concrete buildings can better withstand severe weather than those made of wood and other natural materials. Today, 90 percent of new buildings on Okinawa are made of concrete, reflecting in architecture the post-Occupation Americanization of Japan. This live webinar explores the little-known Brutalist architecture on Okinawa as part of special programming commemorating the 50th anniversary year of Okinawa’s return to Japanese sovereignty from the U.S. in 1972. Speakers also address the problems of concrete as a building material, considering sustainable strategies such as re-use and longevity while questioning its continued prevalence in building and associated environmental costs.

Speakers: Paul Tulett, Michael Kubo
Moderator: Tiffany Lambert

Top Image: Photography by @brutal_zen / ©Paul Tulett 2022