The “Hybrid Typologies” workshop series explores the fusion of physical and digital architecture by examining different architectural typologies, such as world expos, houses, universities, parliaments, and temples. For the third workshop in 2025, we will focus on temples and examine how digitalization can provide new roles and programs for temples to remain active and sustainable in contemporary society.

Many traditional temples are facing a decline due to decreasing numbers of visitors, changes in community engagement, and financial constraints, emphasizing the need for temples to evolve beyond their conventional roles. This workshop challenges students to rethink the basic temple typology (X) in Kyoto and explore its possible transformation into a hybrid typology (X+Y), where new programs can be integrated to generate additional income and ensure their long-term survival.

Methodologically, the workshop will explore Generative AI as a tool for design speculation, representation, and technical development. Generative AIs in architecture, such as Midjourney, have the potential not only to capture and reproduce the essence of historical spaces but also to uncover subtle architectural nuances that human perception might overlook. Can temples be hybridized while retaining their spiritual essence? Can AI-generated interventions preserve the genius loci of these sacred spaces? In this workshop, Generative AI will serve as a “telescope” through which we reimagine the role of temples in modern society, questioning how digital technologies can aid in their preservation and transformation. Through fine-tuning AI-driven workflows, students will collaborate with AI to conceptualize hybrid temple models that integrate aesthetics, program, and context.

We will investigate Kyoto’s declining temples not only as places of worship but also as spaces of cultural identity and community gathering. By leveraging AI-driven workflows, we will analyze and reinterpret the architectural DNA of temples, exploring how hybrid programs—such as cultural events, co-working spaces, wellness retreats, and educational initiatives—can breathe new life into these historic sites. The goal is to propose adaptive reuse strategies that respect tradition while embracing contemporary needs, ensuring that temples remain vibrant and relevant in an ever-changing world.