ArchiHeritage plus is a non-profit organization founded by a group of architects and experts in cultural heritage.
Junko Mukai
Representative Director
Since the year 2000, she has been committed to the goal of preserving Bhutan’s heritage sites, demonstrating a profound respect for the cultural and social context of Bhutan. Until 2016, she served as the principle heritage architect at the Department of Culture in Bhutan’s Home and Culture Ministry. In this role, she spearheaded heritage site surveys, restoration projects, the establishment of legal and institutional frameworks, and the development of human resources. She is also participating in heritage initiatives in Okinawa, her current home.
Gembo Dorji
Board member
Advisor to the Central Monk Body, Bhutan
At the age of 21, he embraced the monkhood and obtained a degree from Tango Buddhist University in Bhutan. He assumed various significant roles within Bhutan’s Central Monk Body, notably serving as the Secretary-General over the eight years until 2016. Currently, he is serving as the Advisor to the Central Monk Body. His commitment extends to the management and institutional reform of the Central Monk Body, responsible for overseeing seven thousand monks residing in ancient temples and monastic centers across the country.
Kyo Suekawa
Board member
Representative of Suekawa-Kyo Architecture Design Office, Japan
Drawing upon the structural rationality of traditional construction, he has, to date, undertaken design projects for the restoration of a hundred Kyoto-machiya (traditional townhouses) and the reconstruction of yamaboko (floats) for the Gion festival. During a three-year volunteer service in Bhutan from 2001, he was actively involved in the design and supervision of district courts, incorporating traditional Bhutanese designs.
Yasufumi Nerome
Board member
Representative of Atelier Nero, Japan
His architectural design works are distinguished by a focus on the climate, environment, culture, and history of Okinawa. The preservation of Okinawa’s modern architectures and the promotion of sustainable construction are also significant aspects of his professional life. In recent years, he has collaborated with universities and institutions to address the chloride-induced deterioration of reinforced concrete buildings, aiming to ensure the longevity of structures.
Alejandro Martínez
Board member
Asst. Professor, Kyoto Institute of Technology
He has garnered attention for his research, which involves a comparative analysis of the principles and methods employed in restoring wooden built heritage in both Western and Japanese contexts. While participating in a research project focused on traditional Bhutanese houses conducted by the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, he further cultivated an interest in the architectural heritage of Bhutan.