Shigenori Uoya was born in 1977. He is one of the Japanese Architect based in Kyoto. He received his bachelor's degree in Architecture from Kyoto University in 2001 and a master's degree at Kyoto University in 2003. He specializes in research of the historical transformation and current state of urban structure in the grid city. Uoya set up his own architecture studio―Shigenori Uoya Architects and Associates― in Kyoto. The studio handles not only architectural design, but also conducts research, analysis of cities, regions and make planning proposals based on research and analysis. Shigenori Uoya Architects and Associates has designed and built more than 100 projects in Kyoto and other places in Japan so far. Currently, projects are on-going in Hong Kong, Thailand, and other Asian countries, as well as in the United States and France. Uoya is teaching Architectural Design at Kyoto University and several Universities. He is also taking his position as a project professor at the Kyoto Institute of Technology from 2020.

Yinjispace：How do you see the relationship between design and materials? Does a great space need to rely on materials?

Shigenori Uoya：It is possible to create a great space without relying on materials.However, a combination of materials that are compatible with the composition of the space can make the space richer.

Yinjispace：In the homestay project you designed: We have observed that there are many applications of earth walls. What do you think of the possibility of earth walls in modern architecture?

Shigenori Uoya：When the earthen wall is painted between rectangular assembled pillars and beams, it becomes a wall; when it is not, it becomes an opening.　In other words, the space can be composed by where the earthen wall is applied in relation to the form of the pillar and beam. Earthen walls are a structure, a base, and a finish. It is also an interior and an exterior. If you turn an earthen wall inside out, it is an earthen wall. This earthen wall’s characteristic gives a lot of modern possibilities when creating a space with walls.Earthen walls can be reused and recycled without producing waste materials, and everything returns to the earth. Which means, it has a lot of potential from the perspective of global environmental issues.

Yinjispace：When you are transforming Japanese machiya houses, how do you balance the relationship between tradition and modernity?

Shigenori Uoya：In the historical city, I would like to pass on the Machiya as a living urban heritage.I would like to receive the architectural space of the Machiya from the context of the past and present in the city, edit its spatial composition to meet the demands of the present, and pass it on to future generations. To ensure this, I am keenly aware of what to preserve and what to change.

Yinjispace：What enlightenment will Japanese traditional culture bring to your design? Should traditional technology be applied in a large area of design?

Shigenori Uoya：As with any non-Japanese traditional culture or non-traditional culture, Japanese traditional culture expands my design possibilities. It is not because traditional is a great technique. It is in the tradition that we can discover many techniques full of possibilities.

Yinjispace：Religious buildings and commercial buildings, if you were asked to choose the design object, which one would you choose? why?

Shigenori Uoya：I don't mind either. However, if I had to choose one, I would choose a religious facility. I want to create a space where people can experience the world and human existence. I thought that such a space might be more realized in a religious facility.But such spaces may also be possible in commercial facilities, and religious facilities may be converted into commercial facilities and vice versa.

Yinjispace：which city in Japan do you like best? If you need a recommendation to Chinese design friends, where would you recommend? why?

Shigenori Uoya：There are many cities that I like, but if I were to guide my Chinese design friends, I would choose Kyoto first. I don't want to see monumental architecture, but I want to walk around the city and feel the process of how the city of Kyoto has lived. I would like to creep into the inner spaces of the city and experience a space where I can feel the transcendence of time. In Kyoto, I can give you a tour of Kyoto as only I can. There are many cities in Asia that I like, and of course there are many in China.Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen.... I have been to Guangzhou almost 10 times. There are also many cities in China that I have never visited and would like to visit.