Asatte no Sentō: Rethinking Community Resilience through Tokyo Bathhouses

Join us in Zarch collaboratives Office at Golden Mile Tower for Zarch’s Collaboratively Speaking led by National University of Singapore (NUS) architecture students, in collaboration with Japanese universities, as they share experiences gained during the 2026 summer workshop. We explore innovative approaches to Rethinking Community Resilience through Tokyo bathhouses.

Historically, Sentō, a form of communal bathhouse in Japan, has fostered everyday ties and often served as post-earthquake bases for hygiene, warmth, and communication. The popularity of bathhouses surged after WWII, when homes lacked baths; however, with the rise of modernization and an increase in the number of in-home bathrooms, the usage of public bathhouses has gradually declined.

Sentō offers a ritual sequence—arriving, undressing, washing, soaking, cooling down, and lingering—bringing bodies, light, steam, and water into a shared rhythm. This spatial and sensory routine creates an etiquette in which people interact with stewards, exchange information, and gather in familiar places. Central to this is the Japanese culture of sassuru communication (subtle, non-verbal communication), where both solitude and social interaction are respected within shared spaces. Over time, Sentō becomes an ingrained social habit that encourages everyday interaction and cooperative behaviour during disasters.

The summer workshop explored both traditional and hybrid community-oriented Tokyo Bathhouses through integrated design perspectives, including spatial quality, structure, environmental simulation, sensory experience, governance, and disaster resilience. The projects investigate how disaster preparedness and responses to floods, earthquakes, and fires can be embedded into the daily operation of Sentō, transforming them into community Bōsai hubs. The students propose Asatte no Sentō as a future common that supports multiple generations, social connection, and collective resilience beyond bathing itself.

Programme Schedule

19:00 – 19:10 | Opening Speech

Topic: Introduction of the Summer Workshop. Summary of Past Two Years’ Proposals and this Year’s Assignment

Speaker: Dr. Shin Yokoo, Senior Lecturer, Department of Architecture (DOA), NUS

19:10 – 20:00 | Student Presentations

Research sharing and project presentations by NUS architecture students.

20:00 – 20:30 | Workshop Field Trip Experience

Firsthand reflections and insights gained during the workshop trip.

20:30 – 21:00 | Discussion & Networking

Open discussion accompanied by a looping slide showcase of workshop highlights.

Venue: Zarch Collaboratives Architectural Studio #04-00 Golden Mile Tower 6001 Beach Road, Singapore 199589

Date: 23 July 2026

Time: 18:30—21:00

Free and Open to Public

Co-organized by: Department of Architecture, NUS and Zarch Collaboratives Architectural Studio