In Japan, the architects assume a vital role as the space designer as well as the structure engineer. People generally values design and it permeates the daily lives. Among them the architecture design is an indispensable part. The culture, social and environmental cause to this situation is multiple: their tendency to appreciate exquisite things, their need to live in a high-density residence, the frequent earthquakes which require secure structure, to name a few. Also the career as architect is less affected by the western counterparts comparing to other Asian countries such as Korea and China.

Normally their collegiate architectural program last for 4 years consists of approximately 140-150 credits. Then after two years of working, they can register for the examination to be a accredited practioner. After the registration exam, one can assume the job as an architect, environment designer or structure designer, where as in US, architects have to consult with the latter engineers to implement his/her concept for the design.

Relatively speaking, the labor of building industry is more subdivided in US than in Japan. And the social and safeness need make the Japanese architects more powerful and respected than the ones in US. It is said that the architecture is more preferred than lawyers or doctors in Japan.This can make us think about the status of architects in US. As a matter of fact, it is not that the architects lost their power in recent years, but the architects never earned the reputation that the Japanese architects do. For instance, Their TV show Daikaizo(Dramatic Makeover) actually propagates the role of architects as space designer,life-style converter and solution designer. This situation may not change for years, but it is time for our architects to demonstrate and show that the capacity and power design can have to change lives, like the Japanese did.

New House in North America

Now a days, Architects lost their role in domesticity and small project which is dominant part in architecture. The mass media and magazines encourage Do-it-yourself culture and produce many star designers who is interior designer and contractor but architect. Architects are apart from dominant daily subject in North America.

On the other hand, Asia has a different soical cognition about the architect. The role of architect is very important in all design process. Especially in small house project, their role as a space designer is indispensable. For example, japanese house is all about function and transformation not only because of their culture but also their limitation of space. To create efficient space in small and limited space, it is essential to have an architect. And this compact and transformative house suggests a possibility of new house which focuses on single family, eco-friendly, and energy efficiency.

Compare with Asia, North America has a huge land where people can build big houses. However, now it is a time to consider about environmental aspect which is a big issue. Technologically developed and transformable multi-function house could be the next house in North America. Just like LeCorbusier's "The house is machine for living in." or Archigram's machin like future architecture.

Architecture + Technology

Reyner Banham (multiplied and, yes, naked) occupies an un-house. This illustration by Francois Dallegret show’s Banham’s Environment Bubble, a “transparent plastic bubble dome inflated by air-conditioning output.” At its center is a Transportable Standard of Living Package that provides all mechanical services, entertainment, etc. The drawing accompanies Banham’s 1965 essay, “A Home is not a House,” which begins, “When your house contains such a complex of piping, flues, ducts, wires, lights, inlets, outlets, ovens, sinks, refuse disposers, hi-fi reverberators, antennae, conduits, freezers, heaters – when it contains so many services that the hardware could stand up by itself without any assistance from the house, why have a house to hold it up?”