Consulate-General of Japan in Auckland
在オークランド日本国総領事館

Student Centre, Level 2, School of Architecture and Planning, The University of Auckland
( 26 Symonds Street, Auckland)

Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm
( Except Public Holiday)

Free to the public

On March 11, 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake and a massive tsunami hit the Tohoku region of Japan. It was the most powerful earthquake to ever hit Japan leaving homes, buildings, towns completely destroyed. This catastrophic event left architects wondering “what architecture could accomplish in such a situation.

” How Did Architects Respond Immediately After 3/11 (The Great East Japan Earthquake)" is an exhibition that was assembled by The Japan Foundation with the intention to exhibit the diversity of approaches to post disaster architecture that was implemented by architects in the 3/11 disaster zones of Japan. The response from architects can be divided into three phases. These phases are still being planned out and implemented today.

1)    Emergency Responses
2)    Temporary Housing
3)    Reconstruction Projects

The exhibition is presented in an easy-to-follow format using visual and text panels, models and video presentations. It takes the viewer on a journey from the initial disaster relief efforts, to support for displaced residents and ultimately to the rebuild of affected regions. It features proposals from various architects, including Shigeru Ban, who is widely recognised in New Zealand for his design of the Cardboard Cathedral in Christchurch.