The spring 2021 DSN S 546: Preservation and Cultural Heritage Tokyo: International Perspectives and Design Issues option studio, taught by Iowa State University associate professors Diane Al Shihabi, interior design, and Mikesch Muecke, architecture, held a four-hour final review virtually via Zoom on Thursday, April 29.

The interdisciplinary studio developed an extensive Historic Structure Report (HSR) detailing the U.S. Ambassador’s Residence in Toyko, including the property’s historical background and context; chronology of use; and physical description, condition and significance. The class also created documentary videos, designs for a pool house and canopy and website prototypes.

Students presented their work to Tobin Tracey, Virginia Price and Jorge Salcedo from the Office of Cultural Heritage, a division of the US. Department of State’s Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations; Shinjiro Kobayashi from the Chief of Mission residence in Japan; and ISU associate provost Dawn Bratsch-Prince and University Professor of architecture Arvid Osterberg.

Tracey noted the exceptional research incorporated into the HSR and videos and indicated he may use one of the pool house designs as a starting point for redesigning the site at the U.S. Ambassador’s Residence in Japan.

May 10, 2021 11:14 am

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