nishikaze.net

NISHIKAZE mean ‘‘West Wind ” in Japanese is
an academic and cultural initiative of architects and researchers of different
nationalities in order to promote:
1) Academic and cultural interchange.
2) Enhance multidisciplinary fields research and cooperation.
3) To strengthen the solidarity and cooperation among architects in Asia.
4) To promote support and cooperation, for the above mention proposes, from
national and international institutions.

Nizikaze was born after the participation of Macau member in the 3rd Asian Symposium on Architectural Interchanges (organized by the Architectural Institute of Korea (AIK), with the Architectural Society of China (ASC) and the Architectural Institute of Japan (AIJ), held in Cheju Island, in Korea, from the 23rd to 25th of February 2000).

One of the first initiatives of NISHIKAZE will be the creation of a database of 400 years of Western Architecture in the Asia Pacific Region.

This database will focus from the 16th century, when Portuguese and Spaniards reach different Asian countries - China, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Burma, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Timor, Malaysia, Thailand, etc.- until the period before the II World War, when the international stile practices in urban and architectural had made havoc among the traditional values and practices.

For these purpose we need the cooperation of architects and scholars. Nishikaze presently already have the cooperation of persons from different nationalities.

Other initiatives the organization of a international exhibition that will focus on the classic western architecture in different Asian countries. These temporary exhibitions can also be shown in different countries.

Presently we are researching different ways and methodologies to obtain successful formulas for the preservation of Macau Cultural Identity. This formulas focus on sustainability plans that can improvement of Macao unique heritage, not has something that is fading away but as a cultural and tourist asset, a living value for China and Euro-Asian countries.

I firmly belief that the contribution of initiatives like NISHIKAZE, are not only restricted to Asia, but also to the world. We welcome your sincere opinion and suggestions and cooperation for the «newborn» NISHIKAZE project.

Francisco Vizeu Pinheiro
Chief Convenor, Nishikaze project