RHWhat about building in Taiwan? You have several projects there.
JAThe main difference is that the Taiwanese tell you, directly, what they want. They explain what they consider elegant, grand, modern or financially feasible. Not so in Japan. Here, many things remain unclear. You have to sense, guess and speculate about what your client wants. In a way, Taiwan is conservative, but it has solid values. And me, coming from Japan, I have flexible values that’s the difference!
RHCan you give an example from first-hand experience?
JAIn Taiwanese cities, I see many old houses covered with mosaics. I find them very charming. But, in the beginning, I didn’t know that those mosaics often represent a design compromise when builders don’t have enough money they use tiles. So, when I suggested using mosaics in one of my projects everybody was shocked, “No, no, not that, please!” I understood. I appreciated the straight-forwardness. If I’d have been in a situation like this in Japan no one would have opposed me, but I also would never have gotten a confirmation either very time consuming!
RHAnd in mainland China?
JANegotiations are very slow and rules can change unexpectedly. In Shanghai, for instance, with all the light pollution, new laws came up to reduce the glare from glass, for instance. It happened all of a sudden. So you go with the flow and adapt. At the same time, you continue to negotiate. If your original idea is not strong enough, it will not survive by the time the building is finished in China.
RHThe creative output might be suffering in Japan, but what about the construction quality? Is it still one of the best in the world?
JAI would say so, although other Asian countries are catching up quickly. The famed Japanese construction quality and the Japanese pride in orderliness are inseparable; go to a construction site and it will never appear chaotic. From machines, materials and tools, down to screws and nails, everything has its designated spot, is clean and runs together like clockwork. In Japan, this work ethic is considered the invisible beauty of architecture. It is part of any finished building.
