LAB LOGA page on LabLog, a review site (not the lab's official page)
Yamada Lab
Machine-translated · View original
The lab explores ways to use materials found nearby in a form that allows them to be cycled and reused.
AboutAbout the lab
Circular architecture, rethought from how it is made.
The Yamada Lab studies circular architecture from the perspectives of building production, materials, and construction methods.
The lab considers how to use locally available materials in a circular way. In other words, it looks at the production and construction methods needed to make good use of natural materials, demolition materials, and reclaimed timber.
The lab has built up a body of work on earthen architecture and plastering (sakan). Through field surveys such as on-site measurement and interviews, as well as experiments, it places importance on working with its hands while engaging directly with real buildings and materials.
Key terms
- Construction method (kōhō)
- The system of what materials a building is made from and how they are assembled.
- Plastering (sakan)
- The work of finishing walls and floors by applying earth or plaster with a trowel; also the craftspeople who do this work.
- Vernacular
- Building methods adapted to the local climate and materials, handed down without being attributed to a named architect.
NewsLab news
A master's student received the Young Researcher Excellent Presentation Award in the Architectural Planning division at the 2025 Architectural Institute of Japan (Kyushu) Annual Meeting
A master's student received the Young Researcher Excellent Presentation Award in the Architectural Planning division at the Architectural Institute of Japan Annual Meeting
Master's and undergraduate students received the Outstanding Student Award from the Japan Architectural Materials Association
Associate Professor Yamada received the President's Prize at the Waseda University Teaching Awards
Associate Professor Yamada received the Excellence Award in the Environmental Architecture Awards of the Japan Institute of Architects
ResearchResearch themes
Engaging in both research and design-build projects, the lab approaches circular architecture from the perspectives of building production, materials, and construction methods. It has built up a body of research on earthen architecture and plastering, covering everything from surveys of traditional and indigenous construction methods to the use of reclaimed timber and demolition materials, as well as the skills of craftspeople.
*Illustrative imageConstruction Methods and Production for Using Natural Materials
This theme considers construction and production methods for using nearby natural materials in a circular way. It deals with the use of earth and plant-based materials.
*Illustrative imageStudies on Vernacular Architecture
This theme examines how local materials have been used, in relation to climate, regional character, culture, and history. The subject is vernacular architecture.
*Illustrative imageReuse of Existing Buildings, Reclaimed Timber, and Demolition Materials
This theme deals with renovation that makes use of existing buildings, and with the reuse of reclaimed timber and demolition materials. It also investigates reclaimed timber dealers and the distribution systems for demolition materials.
*Illustrative imageStudies on Craftspeople's Skills
This theme studies the skills of craftspeople, starting with plasterers. It focuses especially on creative, decorative, and highly technical craftsmanship.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Yamada Lab consist of faculty, assistants, master's and undergraduate students, and non-degree course-taking students.As of 2023
- Associate ProfessorMidori Yamada
VoicesStudent voices
Ratings and reviews reflect the experiences of individual current or former students, not the lab's official views. Whether a lab has reviews, or how many, says nothing about the lab itself.
Students who take part in an interview may receive a thank-you gift worth ¥1,000, regardless of what they say.
Student ratings (0 students)
--
--
--
--
--
--
Student voices answer questions like these
- What's great about this lab?
- What did you learn after joining?
- What's the vibe, and what is the professor like?
- Who is this lab for?
- Where do graduates go?
Your experience can help younger students choose their lab. Your name won't be shown.
Write a lab reviewAnonymous · Your draft is saved if you stopRelatedLabs similar to Yamada Lab
Koshiishi LabSchool of Creative Science and Engineering, Department of ArchitectureBuilding production, building materials, construction
Ishida LabSchool of Creative Science and Engineering, Department of ArchitectureBuilding production, construction management, information-ba…
Nakatani LabSchool of Creative Science and Engineering, Department of ArchitectureArchitectural history, historical engineering, history of bu…
Yoshinaka LabSchool of Creative Science and Engineering, Department of ArchitectureStructures, architectural structural engineering, curved-sur…The information on this page is compiled by the LabLog team from the lab's public information and interviews. For corrections or removal requests, please contact LabLog, not the lab.
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: “Aa rammed earth alhambra walls 2016 utsnitt” Øyvind Holmstad / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Construction Methods and Production for Using Natural Materials: “Charming Village House with Thatched Roof” Girela770 / CC0 (cropped)
- Studies on Vernacular Architecture: “Adobe Village en route to Takab - Western Iran ( )” Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada / CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped)
- Reuse of Existing Buildings, Reclaimed Timber, and Demolition Materials: “Wood salvage Copped Hall walled Kitchen Garden, Epping, Essex, England” Acabashi / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Studies on Craftspeople's Skills: “Forum Baths, decorative wall stucco in the apodyterium, Pompeii ( )” Carole Raddato from FRANKFURT, Germany / CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (輿石研究室): “FinishedEPDMcoveredRoof” KVDP / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (石田研究室): “Active total station on a construction site” Cvstr / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (中谷研究室): “Takasaki Monomizuka ancient tomb” スーパーソーダ / CC0 (cropped)
- Related lab (吉中研究室): “101.portrait.altonthompson” Alton.arts / CC BY 2.5 (cropped)
About LabLog
LabLog is a lab review app for students only. Student members at each university interview students in labs and publish what they say. Student voices can only be read by students who sign up with a university email address. Operated by bestiee Inc.
Learn more about LabLog ↗Search engines and AI may reference the basic lab info and rating summaries on this page and the description of LabLog. Student voices are for student members only. Automated collection by programs (scraping, or input to or training of AI) is prohibited under Article 8 of the Terms of Service. If you need data for research or analysis, please contact us.