Joint Coordinator of CIB W104
MINAMI, Kazunobu
Ph.D (The University of Tokyo)
Professor, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan

Postal Address:
Department of Architecture, Shibaura Institute of Technology, 3-9-14, Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8548, Japan

E-mail Address: k-minami@sic.shibaura-it.ac.jp

Curriculum Vitae

Education
• Ph.D. Degree in Architecture, Department of Architecture, The University of Tokyo, January 2003
• Master's Degree in Architecture, Master of Science in Architecture Studies, Department of Architecture, School of Architecture and Planning, MIT, September 1984 - June 1986 (Supervisor: Professor Nicolas John Habraken and Professor Ranko Bon)
• Master's Degree in Architecture, Department of Architecture, The University of Tokyo, April 1979 - March 1981 (Supervisor: Professor Yositika Utida and Professor Isao Sakamoto)
• Bachelor Degree in Architecture, Department of Architecture, The University of Tokyo, April 1975 - March 1979 (Supervisor: Professor Heizo Saito)

Employment
• April 1981- Architect, Ministry of Posts & Telecommunications
• June 1990- Architect, Director of Design Division, Kyusyu Postal Services Bureau, Ministry of Posts & Telecommunications
• April 1992- Architect, Ministry of Construction
• July 1996- Principal Architect, Ministry of Posts & Telecommunications
• July 1998- Principle Architect, Kinki Postal Services Bureau, Ministry of Posts & Telecommunications
• July 1999- General Manager, Facilities Department, Tohoku Postal Services Bureau, Ministry of Posts & Telecommunications
• April 2003- Principle Architect, Postal Services Agency, Ministry of Posts & Telecommunications
• April 2005-present Professor of Architecture, Department of Architecture, Shibaura Institute of Technology

Research Experience
• September 1984- June 1986, Department of Architecture, School of Architecture and Planning, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Engaged in "research of an open building", and "research on comparison of house building industry in Japan and the U.S."
• July 2001- March 2003, Research Institute of the Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications
Engaged in "research of property management of government"

Teaching Experience
• January 1994 Studio, The Collage of Construction
• May 2003 Special Lecture, Department of Architecture, Shibaura Institute of Technology
• July 2003 Special Lecture, Department of Architecture, Tokyo University of Arts

Professional Experience
• November 1991 State examination committee for the first class registered architect examination

Awards
• 1984 Fulbright Scholarship
• 1986 Tucker-Voss Awards (Award for the research of building technology), Department of Architecture, School of Architecture and Planning, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• 2000 Chiba Prefecture Architecture and Culture Award
• 2001 International Illumination Design Awards, Edwin F. Guth Award for Interior Lighting Design, Special Citation for Innovative Use of Emerging Lamp Technology
• 2002 Second Prize, Paper Competition on Research and Development on Architecture and Building Technology for Future, The Architectural Institute of Japan
• 2003 Excellent work, Japan Steel Structure Association, with Prof. Kuniaki Ito, The University of Tohoku
• 2004 Best paper Award, Paper Competition on the Development and Control of City Architecture, The Architectural Institute of Japan
• 2005 Award for the Distinguished Activity of Arts, The City of Aomori

Research Topics

1) Research on the theory and the method of an architectural design
- especially from the view point of the collaboration between residents, architects and specialists
2) Research on the implementation of Open Building Theory in the continuous improvement of built environment
- Research on the office conversion in Tokyo and other cities in the world
- Research on the renovation of large housing estates in Japan and Europe
3) Research on the development and control of the urban environment
- especially on the correlations between the buildings, open spaces and green tract of land in cities
4) Research of the facilities management and corporate real estate management
- especially on the long term management of large building/housing stocks

Dr. Minami is an architect who has been working for the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications and the Ministry of Construction for more than 20 years.
He received several awards for his design works including the Best Architecture Award from Chiba City and the International Illumination Design Awards.
He has received his Ph.D. Degree in Architecture from the University of Tokyo and his Master of Science Degree in Architecture from MIT.
He is currently a joint coordinator of CIB W104 -Open Building Implementation.

He has interests in the studies of the built environment, which changes over time.
He believes that in order to maintain and improve the built environment with limited expenses, we have to manage it for a long period of time, by repairing faults and improving it according to changes of demands.
For that purpose, he tries to build an effective knowledge about what changes will happen to the built environment and how much expenses will be required to meet changes that occur with the passage of time.

Design Works as a Principle Architect

1) PaLuLu Plaza Chiba
The Palulu Plaza Chiba is a facility for supporting local cultural activities.
It is just three or four minutes' walk from the east exit of Chiba station.
Based on a questionnaire distributed to citizens (700 citizens of Chiba aged 18 or older, sampled at random) and a hearing with the local government, it was decided that the facility should have an exclusive hall for music (719 seats), health improvement facilities (including a pool and machine-equipped gym), an information corner about the City of Chiba, and a number of conference rooms.

2) PaLuLu Plaza Aomori
The PaLuLu Plaza Aomori is an auditorium with 1000 seats.
It opened May 2001 next to The JR Aomori station.
The auditorium became a new center for the citizen's activities in art and culture.
The new facility has brought back the liveliness to the center of city.
The local cider was used to finish the interior wall of the auditorium.
The building has contributed to promote the contemporary cultural activities by installing local artists' works like lacquer ware and the design of theater curtain.

3) Auditorium and Library, The Training Center, Kyushu Bureau of Postal Services
The training institute for the employees of the Kyusyu Bureau of Postal Services.
A 500 seats auditorium is located on the ground floor and a library is located above it.
The structural system of the building is pre-stressed reinforced concrete structure.

4) Data Center for Postal Insurances
The computer center for the Postal Insurance located in Saitama prefecture.
It is one of the largest data center in the world.

5) Nagasaki Airport Post Office
The Omura post office is a distribution center of mails and parcels to and from Nagasaki prefecture.
It is located at the nearest site across the bridge from the Nagasaki International Airport.

6) Takeo Post Office
Takeo post office is located in Saga prefecture and 3962 square meters.
It opened in 1992.

7) Maebashi Higashi Post Office
The Maebashi Higashi post office is located and has 3296 square meters.
It opened in 1990.

8) Nishi-Shinagawa Apartment
Twelve units housing for the employees of the Postal Services Agency located in
Shinagawa ward of Tokyo. It was constructed in 1989 and refurbished in 2001.

9) Dormitory, The Central Training Center for the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications
The annex of dormitory of the national training center for the Postal Services Agency.
It is located in Kunitachi city of Tokyo and opened in 1990.

Selected Publications

Books

(1) Open Building and Urban Design - New Possibilities -,Dec 2004, Maruzen Co.Ltd.
The validity of the open building theory to form built environment was examined we through the analysis of the development of its early theory.
Information especially about urban tissue was gathered to create an archive of the theory.
By analyzing the development process of the open building theory, which initiated in the Netherlands, find that the theory and method of an open building is effective also for the built environment in Japan.

(2) Design and Construction of Auditorium -Palulu Plaza Aomori, June 2002, Nikkan Kensetsu-Tsusinn Shinnbunnsya
The PaLuLu Plaza Aomori is an auditorium with 1000 seats.
It opened May 2001 next to The JR Aomori station.
The auditorium became a new center for the citizen's activities in art and culture.
The new facility has brought back the liveliness to the center of city.
The local cider was used to finish the interior wall of the auditorium.
The building has contributed to promote the contemporary cultural activities by installing local artists' works like lacquer ware and the design of theater curtain.

(3) Design and Construction of Cultural Complex -Palulu Plaza Chiba, Dec 2000, Nikkan Kensetsu-Tsusinn Shinnbunnsya
The PaLuLu Plaza Chiba is a facility for supporting local cultural activities.
Based on a questionnaire distributed to citizens and a hearing with the local government, it was decided that the facility should have an exclusive hall for music (719 seats), health improvement facilities (including a pool and machine-equipped gym), an information corner about the City of Chiba, and a number of conference rooms.
Expenses for the music hall are expected to be covered by profits obtained through use of the conference rooms and health improvement facilities.

Chapters in Books

(1) The possibility to regenerate city centers by the conversion of buildings, Sep 2004, Nikkan Kensetsu-Tsusinn Shinnbunnsya
Among the hundreds of thousands of buildings that presently exist in Japan, many are vacant or not being used for their intended purposes, especially in city centers and around train stations.
In term of frame structure, non-residential buildings are more meticulously constructed and have a taller floor height and greater live load capacity than residential buildings.
The research intends to discover ways using conversion techniques and technology to create an environment that will make it possible to transform vacant and unutilized buildings into high quality residences.

(2) The regeneration of city centers by the conversion of buildings, Oct. 2002, Nikkan Kensetsu-Tsusinn Shinnbunnsya
The conversion of buildings has been practiced effectively in Europe and North America, but in Japan, it is still uncharted territory.
Some reasons for this include differences in municipal management systems, legal systems, technical systems, and industrial structure.
It is important to take a holistic approach to the matter.

(3) Refurbishment and Renovation of Large Housing Estates The Open Building Solution, A Report from a Study Group in Tokyo, Nov. 2002 (2004 in English and German), Marumo-Publishing Co.Ltd.
There are the aging housing estates in Japan, with estimated 6 million residents.
The "scrap and build" scheme of the rapid growth era cannot be applied any longer.
It would even endanger the communities in the housing estates, which need to be stabilized.
This book contains the result of the surveys on the preceding renewal and renovation projects in the European countries and proposals about possible methodology that can be applied to the projects in Japan.

(4) Building in a Sustainable Society -Open Building-, April 1987, Nikkan Kensetsu-Tsusinn Shinnbunnsya
Open Building is an approach to the design of buildings with roots in the way ordinary built environment grows, regenerates and achieves wholeness.
Buildings - and the neighborhoods they occupy - are not static artifacts even during the most stable times, and during times of social and technical upheaval are need adjustment in some measure to remain attractive, safe and useful.
An open building approach also recognizes that designing and constructing buildings involves many people, who make distribution of responsibility a normal characteristic of the culture of building.

(5) The development and control of city architecture, March 2004, The Architectural Institute of Japan
Through the process of urbanization, large cities in Japan, in particular Tokyo, have seen a reduction in green spaces and the loss of public spaces.
We have to realize that our present-day city has lost what we should have inherited and reproduced.
90 papers propose the ideal state of urban space and city architecture by observing the historical transformation of the local orders in space.
The papers suggest that the hidden orders, like natural geographical features and site allocation patterns help us to figure out the prototype for city architecture.

(6) Conversion of existing building stocks, Sep. 2002, Building and Equipment Life Cycle Association
The method to regenerate cities in sustainable society is mentioned by indicating the examples of conversions in the UK.
According to the officials in charge of city planning and strategy, the capacity studies on the population and office floor demand have contributed to facilitate conversions from offices into flats.
From the British experiences, we can tell the importance to establish a master plan for the future, not simply refurbishing empty and useless offices into housing.

(7) The relationship between the "listening" and "looking" in an auditorium, Sep. 1998, The Architectural Institute of Japan
The concert hall in Chiba city and auditorium in Aomori city are used to explain how the stage and the audiences are inter-connected in performance.
The concert hall in Chiba applied curtains around the stage to adjust the reverberation time according to the performance. The underground vibration isolation wall and Box-in-Box sound reduction structure was used to accomplish the required level for calmness.

(8) Thoughts on the design of concert halls, April 2002, Thoughts on the design of concert halls
The auditorium and concert hall can contribute to activate the city by inducing many people regularly.
The location of them must be considered from the view point of city planning and city strategy.
In case of concert hall located in the suburb of local town, it is inconvenient for the elderly people to come back home after the performance.
It will bring many effects to place an auditorium in the center of city, including after show dinner and café to chat over glass of wine.

Papers in Refereed Journals (with abstract)

(1) Continuity and Regeneration of the Orders in City Space, vol.119, No.1520, pp. 50-53, Journal of Architecture and Building Science, The Architectural Institute of Japan
Abstract
Through the process of urbanization, large cities in Japan, in particular Tokyo, have seen a reduction in green spaces and the loss of public spaces.
We have to realize that our present-day city has lost what we should have inherited and reproduced.
This paper proposes the ideal state of urban space and city architecture by observing the historical transformation of the local orders in space based on the idea and method of Open Building.
The Open Building method can help in understanding the order of city space.
→Download: PDF File (1,447KB)

(2) The Whole Life Cost of Post Offices Based on a Survey of Actual Conditions and Consideration of Investment Correction, Volume 2 Number 4, pp. 382-407, Journal of Facilities Management, Henry Stewart Publications, London
Abstract
A complete enumerative study was made of the operating and maintenance costs of the 1,255 delivery post offices throughout Japan in 2000 in order to grasp the characteristics of the whole life costs of post office buildings.
The operating and maintenance costs of five standard post offices were also monitored for 20 years.
This paper demonstrates how the acquired knowledge of the whole life costs is used for the decision making of the facility investment.
→Download: PDF File (818KB)

(3) STRUCTURE? BORNE SOUND REDUCTION CACE STUDY BY UNDERGROUND VIBRATION? ISORATION WALL IN THE CULTURAL COMPLEX FACILITY NEAR RAILROAD, vol. 14, pp. 247-250, Journal of Architecture and Building Science, The Architectural Institute of Japan
Abstract
This paper reports the development of the underground sound isolation wall which reduces the vibration from outside.
The developed form tie which supports the form panel from the cofferdam isolates the structure-borne sound from the ground surrounding the building.
This developed technique enabled to build a concert hall next to a heavy traffic railroads.

(4) STRUCTURE-BORNE SOUND REDUCTION CASE STUDY BY UNDERGROUND VIBRATION-ISOLATION WALL IN THE CULTURAL COMPLEX FACILITY NEAR RAILROAD (PART 2), vol. 15, pp. 221-224, Journal of Architecture and Building Science, The Architectural Institute of Japan
Abstract
We developed a vibration-isolation separator unit for sheathing boards.
As a result of the hydraulic and tension test, it was confirmed that this separator unit has an enough cut-off performance against the leak of cement paste, and has enough rigidity and yield strength.
We examined that this separator unit shows almost the same vibration - isolation performance as the non-separator method.

(5) A Study of the early open building theory and practices, Dec. 2004, Annual Research Bulletin, Housing Research Foundation
Abstract
The validity of the open building theory to form built environment was examined through the analysis of the development of its early theory.
Information especially about urban tissue was gathered to create an archive of the theory.
By analyzing the development process of the open building theory, which initiated in the Netherlands, we find that the theory and method of an open building is effective also for the built environment in Japan.

(6) Building a Sustainable "Relationship between Urban Tissue and Buildings", vol.27, No2, pp. 69-75, Open House International
Abstract
It has been said that the main reasons for the scrapping of buildings in Japan are not physical or structural factors, but social and economic factors.
"Separation of skeletons and infill" is undoubtedly an effective elemental technology for realizing sustainable architecture.
However, in order to realize an increase in the life of buildings (skeletons) that are scrapped for social reasons as cities grow, with regard to the relationship between urban tissue and skeletons, it is imperative that more research be undertaken.

(7) The Idea of Open Building: Prof. Habraken's Lectures and Researches, vol.115, No. 1461 pp. 52-55, Journal of Architecture and Building Science, The Architectural Institute of Japan
Abstract
The Thematic Design course was the product of dissatisfaction with the traditional studio format.
The built environment is based on certain "themes" that bring order within variety and connect the work of otherwise independent parties.
Such themes are themselves human artifacts and therefore subject to change and replacement.
Thematic Design is the design that effectively employs such themes.

(8) Open Building in the Netherlands- an evaluation, vol. 26, No.4, pp.59-66, Dec. 2001, Open House International
Abstract
The problem that the mass housing pays little attention to its residents was already pointed out in the early 1960's, and an experimental project of the open building in which the resident participate the design had been built in the Netherlands.
In open housing, not only tenants themselves design the housing but also they can change of the arrangement their house easily.
It is the purpose of this investigation to know how the design intention of the original housing was realized.

(9) Research into Repair and Improvement Work of Post Office Buildings by Surveying and Monitoring, vol. 565, pp. 269-275, March 2003, Journal of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Engineering, The Architectural Institute of Japan
Abstract
This paper analyzes the actual costs of the repair work and the improvement work of which constitute the main portions of life-cycle cost.
A complete enumerative study was made of the repair and improvement work costs of the 1,255 delivery post offices throughout Japan in 2000.
This paper reports that the accumulative total of the repair and improvement work costs of some buildings tends to become higher than the total of the costs of each year of many buildings in a specific fiscal year, because it reflects the improvement costs required by the change of demands in the years.

(10) Estimation of Whole Life Cost of Post Offices Based on a Survey of Actual Conditions and Consideration of Investment Correction, vol. 565, pp.277-284, March 2003, Journal of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Engineering, The Architectural Institute of Japan
Abstract
By undertaking an enumeration survey of the operating costs of 1255 general post offices throughout Japan, we were able to grasp the characteristics of the life-cycle costs of post office buildings.
After analyzing the relationship between the rebuilding cycle, and rebuilding, repair and improvement costs, by changing the present rebuilding at age 40 to building additions at age 40 and rebuilding at age 60, it became apparent that we could expect a significant reduction in facilities investment costs.

(11) Whole life appraisal of repair and improvement work costs of post office buildings in Japan, Volume 22, number 3, pp. 313-318, Construction Management and Economics, Spon Press, the United Kingdom
Abstract
A complete enumerative study was made of the repair and improvement work costs of the 1,255 general sorting post offices throughout Japan in 2000.
This paper analyses the 2000 expenditure figures from both the national enumerative survey and the survey of the five post offices being monitored for twenty years after their completion.
By changing the present rebuilding at age 40 to building additions at age 40 and rebuilding at age 60, it became apparent that we could expect a significant reduction in facilities investment costs.

(12) EMPIRICAL RESEARCH INTO REPAIR AND IMPROVEMENT WORK OF POST OFFICE BUILDINGS AND FUTURE DEMAND FORCASTING WHICH APPLIES CONSTRUCTION OCCURRENCE PROBABILITY, vol. 17, pp. 465-468, Journal of Architecture and Building Science, The Architectural Institute of Japan
Abstract
A complete enumerative survey was made of the repair and improvement work costs of the 1,255 general sorting post offices throughout Japan in 2000.
The repair and improvement work cost reaches an accumulated total of around 50,000 yen per square meter 20 years after a building is completed.
In order to predict the budget scale, which will be needed in the future, based on the generating characteristic of repair and improvement works, a simulation using the random number based on probability distributions was performed.

(13) Repair and Improvement Work of Post Office Buildings and Reduction of Overall Investment Costs by Lengthening the Life of the Buildings, Vol. 2, no.1, The Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering, The Architectural Institute of Japan
Abstract
This paper analyses the 2000 expenditure figures from both the national enumerative survey and the survey of the five post offices being monitored for twenty years after their completion.
The results show that the average annual repair work cost is 665 yen per square meter, and the average annual improvement work cost is 4,231 yen per square meter, which total an average annual cost of 4,896 yen per square meter.
The repair and improvement work cost reaches an accumulated total of around 50,000 yen per square meter 20 years after a building has been completed.

(14) A STUDY OF AUTOMATIC SYSTEM THAT PRODUCE LAYOUT PAT-TERNS OF SECTIONS IN REGIONAL POST OFFICES, vol. 16, pp.329-334, Journal of Architecture and Building Science, The Architectural Institute of Japan, with Kazuya Shakurai et al.
Abstract
A rapid development of computer technology causes remarkable diffusion of CAD (Computer Aided Design) recently.
But in a process of Architectural design, the use of CAD software is limited to presentations of materials or drawings, therefore it is not used as tools for aiding design itself.
In this pa-per, we are reporting the process of development of Grid-System that can produce the layout patterns of sections in Regional Post Offices as many as possible.
We made this system intending to use computer as tools for aiding designers' thought.

(15) Castle Towns and Court Yard Houses in West India, pp. 22-27, Indigenous Building Materials and Technology in Ecological Architecture, The Architectural Institute of Japan
Abstract
The historical castle cities, like Jodhpur in the State of Rajasthan in western India have several common aspects.
Those cities were relocated new planned cities by the order of Maharajas, located at best place for transportation, and has extremely high density surrounded by city walls.
The city has communities formed according to the caste. The streets have a hierarchical structure.
The most significant feature they share is the courtyard where the people spend most of their time for their life.

(16) A Chandelier Consisting of Blue Color LED Units, vol.86, No.3, pp.131-132, Journal of the Illuminating Engineering Institute of Japan, The Illuminating Engineering Institute of Japan
Abstract
A chandelier constructed of LEDs and bubble-filed acrylic sticks create an expression of light-emitting bubbles and deep-sea waves.
The challenge for designers was to suspend the sticks vertically, while balancing the uniform wave-shaped design.
Light from the blue LEDs is reflected in the bubbles in the deep blue granite walls.
Although the chandelier uses 270 light sources; power consumption is only 13 watts. (Awarded the Edwin F. Guth Award for Interior Lighting Design, 2001 by IESNA; Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.)

(17) The Role of Construction in the National Economy: A Comparison of the Fundamental Structure of the US and Japanese Input-Output Tables since World War II, Vol.10 ,No.4, pp. 93-99, HABITATINTL, Pergamon Journals Ltd. Great Britain
Abstract
The paper addresses the role of construction sector in the national economy of the US and Japan since WWII.
The fundamental structure of the Japanese economy increasingly resembles that of the US.
The construction sectors of both countries have exhibited marked stability over time.
This suggests that the construction sector has reached maturity in both countries.
The Japanese construction sector purchases a large share of the mining sector's output, and is not a significant supplier of the trade and finance sector suggests low expenditures on maintenance and repair.