Including over 18,000 projects directly from exclusive journal contents.
In January 2023, Tokyo-based architecture publisher A+U Publishing Co., Ltd. (“Shinkenchiku-sha Co., Ltd. ” as its parent company) launched "SHINKENCHIKU DATA", a digital archive system enabling access and exploration of extensive architecture projects curated in past periodical journals.
"SHINKENCHIKU DATA" for a tool to explore deep into Japanese architecture
A+U Publishing (Shinkenchiku-sha) has accumulated nearly 100 years of expertise as a publisher specializing in architecture, collaborating with architects and designers to cultivate a culture of architecture. In March 2020, a+u launched "SHINKENCHIKU DATA" aiming to become an infrastructure to convey knowledge and ideas to the succeeding generations for the next 100 years.
"SHINKENCHIKU DATA" is a subscription-based platform for discovering architectural creations published in Shinkenchiku, since the first issue in 1925, Shinkenchiku Jutakutokushu (housing special), and a+u (architecture & urbanism) journals. Through this digital data archive, we aspire to establish a sustaining service that nurtures, connects, and circulates the creators of the future.
The 100-year history of A+U Publishing / Shinkenchiku-sha
For each monthly published magazine, “Shinkenchiku” introduces public architecture by Japanese architects and designers, and "Shinkenchiku Jutakutokushu" specializes in residential/housing also by Japanese architects and designers. Both journals are edited and developed through close collaboration between the editorial teams and architects. Detailed contents created exclusively for this journal by architects and designers, including drawings, texts, and architectural data fact sheets, and photos taken by our special photographer team, are laid out in a distinctive format established over 100 years. The essays that accompany the projects are not only explanations of the projects, but also expressions of the architects' thoughts and ideas of the times and what they perceive in the present day.
The contents thus created are not only for the instantaneous collection of informative material, but also have significance as an archive to be referred to again and again.
"a+u" is a monthly bilingual (English/Japanese) publication featuring architectural content from around the world. We have a network of correspondents in more than 100 countries around the world, and by interviewing architects directly and editing each issue from our independent viewpoint, we are able to provide our readership with the latest information on global trends as quickly as possible. In addition to presenting the latest architects and architectural and urban projects, the journal also features historical articles. The journal also features newly written texts by architects, critics, and historians, and has had a significant impact on the architectural world both in Japan and abroad as a reference guide for the architecture of tomorrow.
What’s in our database
"SHINKENCHIKU DATA" is not an e-book readable platform. This archive offers our users the convenience of searching and browsing over 18,000 architectural projects by architects from around the globe that have appeared in the following issues of “SHINKENCHIKU”. More projects will be added in the future, going back to the first issue.
Shinkenchiku: January 1985 - January 2023
Shinkenchiku Jutakutokushu: February 1985 - December 2022
a+u: January 2010 - January 2023
The essay by the architects in our journal can be viewed by using the translation engine of "DeepL", a neural machine translation service. In addition, you can search by various architectural criteria such as building use, region, and structural type*, create and share your own
folders, check the location of public buildings, etc.
* Some search functions, such as structural type, are supported only for "Shinkenchiku" and "Shinkenchiku Jutakutokushu".
To whom is this service for
"SHINKENCHIKU DATA" is currently being implemented by more than 100 universities, design firms, and developing companies since the Japanese version of the service was first launched in 2020.
In most institutions, our data service is used for case studies, design assignments, application cases, etc. For practical workers, our data service is often used for image sharing in meetings with clients and for structural case study reference.
In particular, we have received multiple feedbacks from our clients that they find it a great advantage in terms of sharing information, especially with the recent rapid progress of remote culture and the decrease in access to libraries due to COVID-19.
We have also seen cross-service use, such as using the library as a reference for other online services provided by Shinkenchiku, such as for essays and articles published on SHINKENCHIKU.ONLINE, or for reference in comparison with architectural videos uploaded on YouTube. Individuals may find it attractive to be able to view a vast amount of architectural resources anytime, anywhere, such as viewing the details of architecture they have visited on a trip.
Gateway for Global Architecture
By being able to browse and search the 3 different journals on the same platform, users will not only be able to catch up with emerging architectural trends in Japan but users will also be able to have a deeper insight into architecture from all over the world, across time and regions.
Our goal is to create a platform that opens new perspectives and opportunities to connect architecture and cities with contemporary society and the environment, triggered by the current trends of Japanese architecture.
SHINKENCHIKU DATA | https://data.shinkenchiku.online/en
Subscription Plan **
[for Individuals]
US$19.99 / month
US$199.9 / year
[for Business / School]
Team plan accommodate a variety of organizational needs with the most affordable price, including for small workgroups, departments, classrooms, laboratories, or entire universities and organizations.
