Ms Toshiko Terazono

Toshiko Terazono is architectural design and educator whose praxis is grounded in the act of making, and how that making is informed by a corporeal engagement with materiality. This interest underpins the agenda of her PhD, commenced in 2021. She brings to her work as an educator experience of running award-winning live, collaborative design-build projects, and extensive experience of working with materials and craft within architecture practice in both Japan and the UK.

Qualifications

BSc (Hons) Architecture, University of East London - 2.1 with Distinction in Energy and Environment

Associate Degree of Science, Housing and Interior Design - Kobe Shoin Women’s College, Kobe Japan

Qualified Shinto Shrine Master - Kougakukan University, Ise, Japan)

Professional membership

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

RIBA Affiliate member

Member of British Association for Japanese Studies

Teaching interests

I am currently the BA (Hons) Architecture Year 1 Leader, and also run the Year 1 Design Studio and the Technology module.

I am interested in exploring the potential of craft and materiality to inform a more sustainable design practice. I have pursued this interest in my teaching through live design-build projects with the community. Central in these Design Studio projects has been co-design with BA Early Childhood Learning students (University of Plymouth) and land children from local primary schools and nurseries; the outcome of these collaborations has been the building of outdoor learning centres by the architecture students. Recognition of this work was attained in being shortlisted in the RIBA MacEwan Awards in 2020.

Learning through making has also been extended to the development and running of summer schools in Japan (2013) and the UK (2015).

These interests extend beyond the Design Studio into my teaching on Communication and Technology modules.

Research interests

The focus of my PhD study, initiated in October 2022 at the University of Plymouth, is developing a greater understanding of what the nature of materials, and their crafting, can afford to a more sustainable design approach. Building on existing knowledge of the traditional Japanese landscape practice of kowan ni shitagau (i.e., following the request), this study will explore how through engagement between the body (especially the hand) and materials we can gain greater understanding of the sustainable capacity of materials.

This PhD is reflective of my overall research interests in craft and materials.

Grants & contracts

Daiwa Foundation

Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation

Reports & invited lectures

2021 Creativity in Architectural Education (with Prof. Robert Brown), Creativity Seminar Series, Universität Innsbruck, Austria

Other academic activities

2012- Erasmus Exchange, Universität Innsbruck, Austria

Additional information

Professional activity

2010–     texere studio, London, UK