Japan is by in large a nation of contrasts. For example, one moment you’ll be walking past ancient shrines and temples in your very own neighbourhood and the next you’ll be surrounded by 50 storey skyscrapers and architectural buildings that seem to step out of a science fiction movie.

One building which has recently caught my attention – and one which I’m sure you’ll find interesting – is the Kanagawa Institute of Technology, designed by Junya Ishigami Architects. It is composed of 305 steel columns, surrounded by glass and serves as a workshop by the Institute’s engineering and design students along with members of the local community.

The building is essentially a glass box in the midst of the Institute’s campus using contemporary minimalism – an open concept space with a predominantly white interior –to blur the lines between the indoors and outdoors, thereby making this a pretty cool learning environment.

Images from Dezeen