FIXES

Non-Intentional Design: Investigating alterations of space/objects at the public/private boundary in suburban Tokyo, Japan. A resource by a-small-lab.com. Contact: Chris Berthelsen chris@a-small-lab.com

Yaki-imo Lamppost Signage

Yaki-imo (roasted sweet potato) advertisement on lamppost. Constructed of a cardboard box, plastic twine, and wire ties.

Yaki-imo Lampost Signage
Yaki-imo Lampost Signage
Yaki-imo Lampost Signage
Yaki-imo Lampost Signage
Yaki-imo Lampost Signage

Materials: Cardboard Box, Plastic Twine, Wire
Location: Kunitachi, Tokyo

Breeze Block Signage Stabilization

Signage stablized with a chain threaded through a breeze block.

Breeze Block Signage Stabilization

Breeze Block Signage Stabilization

Materials: Breeze Block, Chain
Location: Minato-ku, Tokyo

Signage Stabilization in Wood Strip

Commercial signage stabilized through use of simple wooden strip.

Signage Stabilization in Wood Strip
Signage Stabilization in Wood Strip

Materials: Wood
Location: Shibuya, Tokyo

Display/Signalling Chair

Chair used to signal location of store, and display products…as well as possibly discouraging parking.

Display/Signalling Chair
Display/Signalling Chair

Materials: Chair
Location: Shibuya, Tokyo

Streetside Display Stabilization in Bricks

Bricks stablize a streetside display which juts out over the curb and onto the road.

Streetside Display Stabilization in Bricks
Streetside Display Stabilization in Bricks
Streetside Display Stabilization in Bricks

Materials: Brick
Location: Shibuya, Tokyo

Polystyrene Lid Storage in Gap

The gap between two vending machines provides ample storage for polystyrene box lids.

Polystyrene Lid Storage in Gap
Polystyrene Lid Storage in Gap

Materials: Vending Machine Gap
Location: Shibuya, Tokyo

Menu Secured in Bricks, Twine, and Tape

The outdoor menu for this food store is secured with plastic twine taped to two bricks, the base evened out with broken paving tiles.

Menu Secured in Bricks, Twine, and Tape
Menu Secured in Bricks, Twine, and Tape
Menu Secured in Bricks, Twine, and Tape
Menu Secured in Bricks, Twine, and Tape
Menu Secured in Bricks, Twine, and Tape

Materials: Bricks, Paving Slab, Plastic Twine, Duct Tape
Location: Shibuya, Tokyo

Signage in Crate, Polystyrene, Tape, Markers

Lunchtime signage on polystrene food packaging lids – written in markers, stabilized with crate. Signage is attached to hinged board for easy storage/transport (see last image).

Signage in Crate, Polystyrene, Tape, Markers
Signage in Crate, Polystyrene, Tape, Markers
Signage in Crate, Polystyrene, Tape, Markers
Signage in Crate, Polystyrene, Tape, Markers

Materials: Crate, Markers, Polystyrene, Tape, Hinged Boards
Location: Shibuya, Tokyo

Lunchtime Signage Over Railing

Signs advertising local restaurants lined up and stabilized over pedestrial railing. A system which also keeps them off the thoroughfare. Stabilized with tape and string.

Lunchtime Signage Over Railing
Lunchtime Signage Over Railing
Lunchtime Signage Over Railing
Lunchtime Signage Over Railing
Lunchtime Signage Over Railing

Materials: Railing, String, Tape
Location: Shibuya, Tokyo

Stable Pamphlet Stand

Pamphlet stand outside during business hours – tied to the pedestrian railing with plastic twine for stabilisation.

Stable Pamphlet Stand
Stable Pamphlet Stand
Stable Pamphlet Stand

Materials: Plastic Twine
Location: Shibuya, Tokyo

Mega-Cities: Design Anthropology and Urban Landscapes
I'm delighted and honoured to have my FIXES work included in Jared Braiterman's Tokyo University graduate seminar on mega-cities.
You can download the syllabus [HERE]


Thanks to the URBAN DESIGN Lab 西村・北沢・窪田 都市デザイン研究室, Department of Urban Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo for making this a featured resource of their lab [LINK]

Vision Plus 2010
Thanks to the organizers of the conference for selecting this project as a featured resource, even though I was not able to attend.




Article: Small Places of Anarchy in the City: Three Investigations in Tokyo on This Big City

Article: The Non-Intentional Landscape of Tokyo - read at This Big City

Article: Framework for Neighbourhood Creative Climate - read at This Big City

Tokyo Green Space from Jared Braiterman is a great inspiration [LINK]

Urban Bricolage by @ehooge is an inspiring site on a related theme [LINK]

Treepolis by Christoph Rupprecht inspires me with investigations into informal green space, cities, and urban ecology with a focus on Australia and Japan [LINK]

Everyday Structures by @alanwiig is another fine site in the same vein [LINK]