Architecture speaks in the language of landscapes

Five countries and five architectural dialects. We have analyzed buildings in different parts of the globe to tell you why Japan and Germany differ in their architectures.

The geography of the area, the culture, the way people interact with each other dictate the shape of buildings and materials. Every architect should take into account these peculiarities.

​Japan

The buildings are places of pilgrimage for architects. If ordinary roads lead to Rome, the road to inspiration leads to the Land of the Rising Sun.

The essence of the Japanese tradition in simplicity. A visual language of architecture is laconic, but therein lies its beauty.

The main points in the architecture are the natural light and the interaction of internal and external.

Buildings are climate cautious. Due to the earthquake threats, constructions are massive, stable and hardy.

Although concrete, glass and steel structures take up half of the modern Japan, the country remains wooden. Wood shows a connection to nature and tradition – two important milestones of their philosophy.

The word "nature" in Japanese means, "be in harmony with the environment." If Europeans manage resources, the Japanese perceive themselves as a part of nature. In architecture, we see respect for the textures, the land history, topographical features.

There has been a strong Japanese influence on the worldview of Europe. It has become a construct for Western architecture. Over the past few years, local architects turned out to be the protagonists of the Pritzker Prize. 2011 was remarkable for Japanese architects. It brought awards to SANAA, Toyo Ito and Shigeru Ban.

​United Kingdom

In modern architecture, we feel the echo of Foster and Rogers – steel and glass. Constructions are visually light, weightless, often formed from particles of different geometries. Despite the high technology, buildings amaze with naturalness and their blending with the landscape.

We see a flexible, functional planning. The Victorian style and brick constructions, as in the Sherlock series, have evolved into a simpler, technological form.

Environmental friendliness has become a part of the building aesthetics. Architects struggle with the dependency on electricity, efficiently using natural light.

30 St Mary Axe, also known as the Gherkin, still inspires thousands and remains an excellent example of a perfect synthesis of architecture and tradition.

​Germany

Buildings are function apologists. Practicality and functionality set the forms and materials.

Heavyweights differ from the Western neighbours in size.

We see the “lightweight” German architecture in the projects of Frei Otto. He is the father of famous tent and membrane structures. One who shows how by minimal means to achieve the maximum goals.

An important element is energy efficiency. It is great that architects try to get rid of the verb "to consume".

The Germans do not like to endow the

architecture with a color. Monochromatic facades are not only joke topics but

also projects. Paul Eis uses Instagram to give German architecture a colorful

makeover.

Bright hues highlight the uniqueness of the buildings.

​USA

The expressive nature of the buildings. While Dutch or Swedish buildings are modest, America is diverse and kaleidoscopic. It says "yes" to experiments.

Thom Mayne creates the architectural performance of combinations. His designs are sophisticated, angular, a bit sharp, but functional and practical.

Le Corbusier has influenced Richard Meier’s refined and modernistic designs. Strict geometric grids demonstrate the architect’s interest in mathematics. The white paint monotony of buildings is a metaphor. White as the line between objects made by humans and nature.

Visual experiments with shapes and materials are typical for big cities. Despite the variety of bold projects, their distinctive feature is skyscrapers. 432 Park Avenue – NYC celebrity is the tallest residential building in the world (426 meters).

​Ukraine

Every year the architectural language of our country advances and becomes more minimalist. In the oversaturated world, people instinctively gravitate toward simplicity.

Buildings are reduced in form. Details and materials have become more important. Concrete, steel, glass, and wood are major building materials these days.

An important point is the unity of interior and exterior. A building isn’t just its facade. It’s holistic. The wrapping depends on its content.