Foreword / by Edward Suzuki -- Preface / by Geeta Mehta -- The sustainable Japanese house : past, present and future -- Borrowed landscapes : putting nature in the design. House in Kita-Kamakura ; House in Komae ; House in Nara ; House in Raizan Forest ; House in Tateshina ; Green curtains ; The multipurpose engawa -- Reinventing tradition : towards a more sustainable future. House in Nagahama ; House of maple leaves ; Kotoboshikan ; Même Meadows ; Mini step house ; Katsura imperial villa ; Passive qualities -- "Smart" green : innovation, technology and sustainability. Passive house Karuizawa ; Onjuku beach house ; A-ring house ; The rise of the design eco prefab -- Reuse, renew, recycle, renovate : alternatives to a throwaway culture. Old Japanese timber house renovation ; Shinmachi house ; Architecture of the people : urban and rural -- Sustainable Japan abroad : the international impact of Japanese design. Konishi Gaffney house ; Mjölk house ; Summer retreat Sævik ; A1 house ; Charred wood cladding ; The Wabi Sabi aesthetics of the teahouse ; Architects and designers ; Resource guide ; Photo credits ; Acknowledgments.

Japan is equally as well known for its ecologically-sensitive traditional homes as it is for cutting-edge, green technology. "Eco Living Japan" presents 19 contemporary Japanese houses which exemplify the most recent trends in sustainable design in Japan. This is wabi-sabi for the 21st century! With over 250 photos, drawings, plans and lively, informative text, this sustainable architecture book offers a picture of green living in contemporary Japan and provides inspiration and practical ideas for those creating homes in North America and other 4 season climates. Each project presents different aspects of Japan's current movement toward a more sustainable living environment as well as its focus on fine craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology. The book's content is informative and enjoyable for both professional architects and forward-thinking homeowners. Anyone with an interest in Japanese design and trends in sustainable living will find fresh ideas for their own home projects. These homes work in harmony with their environments and with the people who inhabit them "green design" at its best!"