ARCHITECTURAL TOUR WITH OSAMU WATANABE: New Residential Environment Found in JOHNSON TOWN

In-Person Event:

ARCHITECTURAL TOUR WITH OSAMU WATANABE: New Residential Environment Found in JOHNSON TOWN

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2022 @ 11:30 ~ 16:00 JST

JOHNSON TOWN is a residential area located in Iruma City, Saitama Prefecture.

Before the war, it was known as Japan’s Iruma Air Base for Japanese military personnel, while after the war, it was called “JOHNSON AIR BASE” with a housing area for U.S. military personnel. The houses in Johnson Air Base were known as “U.S. Army House”.  Approximately 20 years after the full return of Johnson Air Base to Japan, those buildings were completely dilapidated, and the town had almost become a slum.

Osamu Watanabe of Osamu Watanabe Architects involved after Tatsuo Isono, the current owner of Isono Shokai, became a president. The architect who had studied community-oriented residential development in the United States, started a new project to restore the town by renovating and re-using existing houses as well as building new houses. There are 23 single-story U.S. Army Houses remaining in this town, and the lifestyle of living in old U.S. Army Houses has emerged among some young Japanese. The town has been gradually developed over nearly 20 years since its conception.  Now the town fosters a high-quality and unique townscape and lifestyle. It is highly evaluated as an alternative to conventional residential area developments.

The town has now evolved into a place where:

1. Young people can leave their jobs and realize their dreams.
2. Housewives raising children can pursue their dreams.
3. Retired senior citizens can realize their dreams.
4. People with disabilities can continue to live and work.