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Kawaguchi Lab (Three-Dimensional Structures / Spatial Structures Lab)
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The lab studies lightweight, deformation-resistant three-dimensional structures such as membranes and tensegrity.
AboutAbout the lab
Putting the strengths of three-dimensional structures to work in architecture.
The Kawaguchi Lab researches and develops a variety of structures that take advantage of the strengths of three-dimensional structures.
Three-dimensional structures are lightweight and resistant to deformation, and they make efficient use of materials.
At the same time, their shape strongly affects their mechanical performance, and they often show complex behavior.
The lab works on tension structures such as membrane structures and tensegrity, deployable structures that can be folded and unfolded, and the safety of large venues that attract many visitors.
Key terms
- Shell structure
- A structure made of a thin curved surface, like an eggshell, that carries loads through the action of its shape
- Membrane structure
- A structure that forms a roof or walls from a membrane stretched taut under tension. It is lightweight and used to cover large spaces
- Tensegrity
- A framework that keeps its shape by combining cables that carry tension with rods that carry compression
- Deployable structure
- A structure that is folded down small and then unfolded into a large form for use
NewsLab news
Deployable structures exhibited at the Institute of Industrial Science (IIS) Open House
A spatial structures lab seminar that undergraduates can also join, and an information session for prospective graduate students
Lecturer Muto receives the Hangai Prize at the international conference IASS
Professor Kawaguchi receives the Membrane Structure Design Award
ResearchResearch themes
The lab researches and develops structures that take advantage of the strengths of three-dimensional structures: being lightweight and resistant to deformation. It investigates the mechanical behavior of structures that use shells, membranes, and cables, the folding and deployment of structures, and the safety of large-span buildings.
*Illustrative imageShells and Three-Dimensional Spatial Structures
The lab continues research on applying shell structures, which are thin yet highly rigid, and lightweight, deformation-resistant structures such as space frames, cable structures, and membrane structures to large buildings.
*Illustrative imageDeveloping Structural Systems for Large Spaces
The lab aims to develop lightweight structures that cover large spaces and resist external forces well. It also considers the rationality and economy of construction methods, as well as freedom of form.
*Illustrative imageMotion and Failure Caused by Shaking
The lab investigates, through both theory and experiment, how shells and spatial structures move and how they fail when subjected to vibrations and waves.
*Illustrative imageFolding and Deploying Structures
The lab studies methods for folding expanded three-dimensional structures into planes or points, and for deploying folded structures to build expansive ones. Possible applications include deployable and transformable structures, and rational methods for erecting and dismantling buildings.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Kawaguchi Lab are the faculty, technical specialists, secretaries, and doctoral, master's, and undergraduate students.As of 2026
- ProfessorKen'Ichi KawaguchiPublications ↗
- LecturerTakara Muto
VoicesStudent voices
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Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images. Cropped CC BY-SA images are provided under the same CC BY-SA license as the original (version shown on each line).
- Top image: “Tensegrity Structure - Science Park - Science City - Kolkata” Biswarup Ganguly / CC BY 3.0 (cropped)
- Shells and Three-Dimensional Spatial Structures: “Sydney (AU), Opera House” Dietmar Rabich / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Developing Structural Systems for Large Spaces: “Aguas vivas” Trabisbalding / Public domain (cropped)
- Motion and Failure Caused by Shaking: “Chladni Plate Pattern 2” Revisorius / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Folding and Deploying Structures: “Montreal Olympic Stadium tower with cables for retractable roof” WikiPedant / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Asai Lab): “2010 Chile earthquake - Building destroyed in Concepción” Claudio Núñez / CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped)
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- Related lab (Koshihara Lab): “20100724 Iwakuni 5235” Jakub Hałun / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Fujita Lab): “Zentsuji Zentsu-ji Garan Five-storied Pagoda 5” Zairon / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
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