FEATURED EVENT
LECTURE | TOWARDS A NUDE ARCHITECTURE
A deep dive into the hidden world of Japanese hot springs, from fabled origins to modern
manifestations, chronicling centuries of soaking through the eyes of an architect.
As one of the most volcanically active geographies in the world, the islands of Japan
gush with nearly 30,000 naturally occurring hot springs, or onsen
(温泉), of varying temperatures, colors, and mineral compositions. When superimposed
over the country’s history, their timeline winds its way through ancient religions,
warring empires, medical marvels, and contemporary pop culture, forming a vital part
of the national identity.
Combining photos, drawings, collages, and diagrams from over a decade of travel across
the country, Towards a Nude Architecture explores this narrative
through an architectural lens, presenting a visual journey of water and steam spanning
centuries and geographies. In three chapters examining past, present, and future, the
book looks at the spiritual roots of bathing, the diverse structures built around the
tradition, and the lasting influence of this poetic mingling between architecture,
nature, and the naked body. Facing declining visitors and increased privatization,
compounded by recent global crises, the need to promote and preserve these bastions
of public space is more crucial than ever.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Yuval Zohar
Architect
Designer
Author
Yuval Zohar is an architect and designer working internationally.
Born in Israel, raised in the United States, and having spent the majority of his career in Asia, he is currently
based in Japan. He is the author of Towards a Nude Architecture: A Visual Compendium of Japanese Hot Springs,
which was featured in a New York Times profile about his life in a quaint Japanese countryside hot spring town.
Prior to his current role at EXP, designing physical spaces activated through AR travel games, he was a senior
architect at Diller, Scofidio + Renfro in New York, a project leader at OMA New York and Hong Kong, and directing
JDS architects' activities in China. He spent 8 years in Shanghai contributing to the design of high-profile
constructed projects including the New Jindai sustainable school, the Hangzhou Gateway, exhibitions at the
Shanghai World Expo and the BMW Guggenheim Lab in Mumbai, and several awarded competitions that have been featured online and in print.
Yuval has been featured on television shows, architecture magazines, publications, and as an invited guest lecturer
and panelist in academic and professional architecture events.
He resides and works between Yugawara and Tokyo, Japan.
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