The
exhibition "Prefabricated Anatomy: Living in Japan" occupies the ground floor of the
Japan House São Paulo featuring the world of innovative Japanese prefabricated constructions. From July 1 to October 12, full-scale models, prototypes, construction pieces, and explanatory content will be displayed under the curatorship of Natasha Barzaghi Geenen, cultural director of JHSP. "The aim is to allow the public to familiarize themselves with the dimensions of some models of contemporary housing in Japan, while reflecting on how these solutions can be adapted to the Brazilian context. Our proposal is to promote discussions on new ways of building, encouraging partnerships between Brazil and Japan to develop increasingly sustainable models of smart housing," explains Geenen. Throughout the exhibition period, JHSP will also hold
lectures, seminars, and workshops on topics related to
sustainability, material reuse, and proposals aligned with Japanese housing.
After all, what are Japanese prefabricated constructions?
Prefabrication is a
construction method where part or all components of a construction are produced in a factory and then assembled on-site. Japan is a world leader in this model, with
about 125,000 houses built this way in the country – according to data from the Japan Prefabricated Construction Suppliers and Manufacturers Association (2022). Several factors stimulated the growth of prefabricated constructions in Japan from the 1950s. The main factor was the
housing shortage in the post-war period exacerbated by the
baby boom (significant increase in birth rates) in the years following the conflict. Since then, the country has been refining its techniques over the years – producing everything from traditional housing to homes that express luxury and wealth. Today's houses focus on safety,
thermal insulation, and even protection against natural disasters that affect the country.
Versatile and customizable (like the VUILD models displayed in "Prefabricated Anatomy: Living in Japan"), prefabricated houses also stand out for their
sustainable proposal. Made from industrialized wood, they present
objective and viable solutions for the
reduction of carbon emissions in the atmosphere – especially in locations with abundant supply of materials, like Brazil. Given the context, the question left by JHSP with the new exhibition is:
how will prefabricated housing respond to these increasing challenges moving forward, including the aging Japanese population and demands for labor and natural resources?
Tatami in Japanese homes
In addition to prefabricated houses, "Prefabricated Anatomy: Living in Japan" also draws attention to the use of tatami in
Japanese homes – and how they can inspire Brazilian housing. Basically, tatami are a type of
floor covering equivalent to our carpets. They consist of three layers: an outer layer usually made of dry straw and two intertwined external layers made from a grass-like plant. The use of these
natural materials contributes to the thermal comfort of environments, retaining heat and absorbing moisture from the spaces. The
standardized measurements in the national territory (180 x 90cm) allow tatami to function as a
architectural unit in Japan. In more traditional homes, each room is designed and described by the number of tatami it contains – following specific rules that reflect the cultural and aesthetic values of the country.
Service "Prefabricated Anatomy: Living in Japan"
- When: July 1 to October 12, 2025
- Where: Japan House São Paulo, ground floor – Av. Paulista, 52 - São Paulo/SP
- Business hours: Tuesday to Friday, from 10am to 6pm; Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 10am to 7pm.
- Free admission. Advance online reservations (optional) on the website.
