This panel discussion will explore the diverse approaches organizations are taking to preserve built cultural heritage, pass on traditional building methods, and contribute to the revitalization of rural communities in Japan, North America, and beyond. Representatives from the Timber Framers Guild, the Japan Kominka Association, and the Minka Preservation Society will share their insights, experiences, and strategies for safeguarding traditional architecture while fostering sustainable community development.

Key topics will include:

• Preservation & Adaptive Reuse: How these organizations restore and repurpose historic structures, ensuring they remain functional and relevant in contemporary society.

• Training & Knowledge Transfer: Initiatives to pass down traditional carpentry and timber framing techniques to the next generation of craftspeople, bridging historical craftsmanship with modern applications.

• Community Engagement & Rural Revitalization: The role of heritage preservation in strengthening rural economies, attracting new residents, and fostering cultural tourism.

By highlighting projects from Japan, North America, and other countries, the discussion will showcase the shared challenges and unique opportunities in heritage conservation across different cultural contexts. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how collaboration, education, and innovative restoration efforts can ensure that historic buildings continue to serve as vital, living parts of their communities.

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Jim DeSantis

The Timber Framers Guild has been an essential part of my life since I joined in 1997. Since then I have counted on the Guild for inspiration, camaraderie, and education. I have volunteered and instructed on Guild projects, attended every Western conference and one Eastern since ’97, and kept up on best practices through our excellent publications. As both an educational organization and trade organization, we are unique in the way we interact; the spirit of cooperation rather than competition defines us. In my experience, this is rare and speaks to the Guild’s mission and the integrity of its members. 

Mitsuo Tsurutani

Born in Kobe, Japan in 1968, I am the Vice President of the Japan Kominka Association and a First Class Architect and Building Inspector. My first memory is that of the back of a carpenter carving wood - a big back and a hearty laugh. I grew up surrounded by such craftsmen in my grandfather's construction company. In earthquake-prone Japan, I think it is essential to improve the performance of both ordinary and traditional houses. If you have any concerns about housing, please feel free to consult with us. We are also involved in many renovations of kominka across Japan.

Koji Toda

Koji Toda is a dedicated advocate for kominka preservation and revitalization in Japan. At Toda Komuten, he plays a key role in restoring and repurposing historic wooden structures, ensuring that Japan’s architectural heritage remains a living part of modern communities. His work focuses on sustainable preservation, balancing historical integrity with the evolving needs of those who inhabit and maintain traditional homes.

In addition to leading restoration efforts, Toda-san is an active member of the Japan Kominka Association and a key figure in the Kominka Collective, where he collaborates with preservationists, architects, and community leaders to promote the adaptive reuse of traditional Japanese homes. Through these initiatives, he helps breathe new life into aging kominka, supporting rural revitalization and encouraging a deeper appreciation for Japan’s built cultural heritage.

Lauren Scharf

Lauren lives in a 1907 kominka north of Hakui on the Noto Peninsula with her Scottish husband, five adventurous rescue cats, and a quirky standard poodle. She and her husband entirely self-renovated, furnishing the place with an assortment of antiques, recycle shop treasures, hand-built items, and a few new pieces. She is also an aspiring organic gardener with the goal of being as self-sustainable as possible in a few years.

When not plastering walls or battling garden slugs, she's a consultant promoting travel to lesser-known parts of Japan and deep dives into Japanese culture and history.

Vince Ng

Vince has been in the hospitality and tourism business since 2014 operating various cafes, guesthouses and hostels in Osaka and Kyoto. Finding balance between working remotely as a consultant and farming rice, he has since moved to a minka in the Tango penninsula along the Sea of Japan in Kyoto Prefecture. He is starting an organic farm and inaka experience program for those looking to learn about rural living or wanting a retreat from stressful urban life. He is an active member of the Yasaka Shrine Mikoshi Association and partakes in numerous Shinto festivals as a shrine bearer across Japan.