Jae K Kim revisits lost Timbercraft of East Asia
At a moment when timber is once again reshaping global architectural practice, Timbercraft: Lost Tectonics from East Asia revisits the enduring legacy of traditional East Asian wooden construction. Written by architect and researcher Jae K Kim, the book examines nine landmark buildings across China, Japan, and Korea spanning more than 1,400 years. It traces the evolution of these sophisticated structural systems through intricate joinery, complex bracket assemblies, and interlocking components, revealing how traditional methods can inform contemporary architecture.
Cover (photo by Rick Keus)
To make this complex body of knowledge accessible, the book‘s author presents original analytical drawings, section perspectives, exploded axonometric views, and detailed assembly studies. These precise visual documentations highlight the technical ingenuity that allowed these structures to endure for centuries, while essays provide historical and theoretical context surrounding their spatial, material, and principles to inspire new approaches to fabrication, structure, and expression.
Book spread (photo by Rick Keus)
jae k kim pairs nai010 publishers and studio joost grootens
Published by nai010 publishers and designed by Studio Joost Grootens, Timbercraft: Lost Tectonics from East Asia translates dense architectural research into a clear, compelling visual system. They ensure that historical research and complex technical analysis are seamlessly organized. Ultimately, the book serves as an essential resource for architects, builders, and scholars, bridging ancient structural intelligence with the future of sustainable timber construction.
Book spread (photo by Rick Keus)
Terminology
nine case studies
Joinery detail, Nandai-mon
Joinery detail, pagoda of Fogong-si
Cut-away drawing, Palsang-geon
Isometric, Sazaedo
book info:
name: Timbercraft: Lost Tectonics from East Asia
author: Jae K Kim
publisher: nai010 publishers