Location: Dorich House Museum, Kingston Upon Thames, London, U.K.

Status: Completed May 2015

Collaborators: BA Architecture Kingston University, led by Takeshi Hayatsu and Simon Jones

Todaiji Nandaimon is a 1:5 scale of half of Nandaimon, The Great South Gate that leads to the Todaiji temple in Nara, Japan. Lead by Takeshi Hayatsu, the project was fabricated and assembled by Kingston University year 3 students in 2015 after their visit to Nara where they studied Japanese carpentry and timber construction techniques. The idea of heritage is embedded within these techniques as the skill and knowledge of the makers is passed down generations as the buildings are dismantled and rebuilt every 300 years. 

This structure uses over 3000 components which were fabricated in the Kingston University 3D workshop and then assembled on site. The traditional Japanese post and beam construction methods are adapted and made using standard timber sections consisting primarily of 2 x 2” and 2 x 3” treated softwood, combining to build the 5m tall. 

The installation formed part of the Kingston School of Art degree show exhibition at Dorich House in Kingston upon Thames.