What is DOCOMOMO?
Docomomo is an abbreviation for Documentation and Conservation of buildings, sites and neighborhoods of the Modern Movement.
It is an international academic organization that emphasizes the historical and cultural importance of architecture that has contributed to the promotion of the modern movement, and engages in activities related to recording such architecture and preserving existing buildings. Established in the Netherlands in 1988, participants include modern architectural historians, architects, conservators, architectural engineers, urban planners, and government officials. The first international conference (founding general meeting) was held in 1990 and today the headquarters “DOCOMOMO International” is located in Delft, Netherlands. Seventy-three countries and regions are members.
What is DOCOMOMO Japan?
DOCOMOMO Japan, a general incorporated association, is the Japanese branch of DOCOMOMO. It was established in 2000. In 1999, a DOCOMOMO working group was established within the Architectural History and Design Committee of the Architectural Institute of Japan, to carry out preparatory activities for the establishment of DOCOMOMO Japan.
DOCOMOMO Japan conducts activities to re-evaluate modern Japanese architecture, as well as preservation activities, such as submitting preservation requests for modern buildings scheduled for demolition, and record research.
DOCOMOMO Charter (Eindhoven-Seoul Statement)
DOCOMOMO’s main goals were brought together in the Eindhoven Statement, which was issued at the conclusion of the founding conference in 1990. It was updated in Seoul, 2014, and approved as the Eindhoven-Seoul Statement:
DOCOMOMO International is a non-profit organization dedicated to the documentation and conservation of buildings, sites and neighborhoods of the Modern Movement. It aims to:
- ・Bring the significance of the architecture of the Modern Movement to the attention of the public, the authorities, professionals and the educational community.
- ・Identify and promote the surveying of the works of the Modern Movement.
- ・Promote the conservation and (re)use of buildings and sites of the Modern Movement.
- ・Oppose destruction and disfigurement of significant works.
- ・Foster and disseminate the development of appropriate techniques and methods of conservation and adaptive (re)use.
- ・Attract funding for documentation, conservation and (re)use
- ・Explore and develop new ideas for the future of a sustainable built environment based on the past experiences of the Modern Movement.
quoted from: https://docomomo.com/organization/
Architecture of the modern movement in Japan
As one of its activities, DOCOMOMO Japan selects "Architecture of the Modern Movement in Japan" in cooperation with the Architectural Institute of Japan. Selection began in 1999, and as of 2023, 280 buildings had been listed.
Selection of Villa Bianca
Villa Bianca was selected for “2020 Architecture of the Modern Movement in Japan”.
The reasons are given below.
- a.Rather than using decoration, aesthetics are applied through the composition of lines and surfaces.
- b.Technological advances are reflected in the design.
- c.Ideas of social reform are evident
- d.It is designed from the perspective of environmental formation (composition of plazas and architectural elements).