FIXES

Cut-off tyres guard against parking mishaps.

Materials: Tyres
Location: Nagoya

This village constructed by homeless people took over a large part of Nagoya’s central Shirakawa Koen. As you can see, the defensive wall around the outside of the village was constructed from an array of broken down refrigerators and tree stumps. A very robust set-up that was unfortunately no match for the ‘city beautifiers’ who attempted to destroy what was left of Nagoya’s soul in the run up to the 2005 Aichi Expo.

Materials: Refrigerators, Tree stumps
Location: Shirakawa Park, Nagoya

All apartments are fitted with built-in washing lines which are below the line of the railing. Unfortunately, these are too low, meaning that sheets and futons have to be hung carefully to prevent them from resting on the balcony floor. This resident has erected his own (more common style of) washing line at a more practical height.

Location: Setagaya, Tokyo.

This example is a note for a pamphlet on “Hand Made Aspects of Mass Produced Housing”. Subscribe to my somewhat-frequent letter HERE if you want to keep in touch easily.

All apartments are fitted with built-in washing lines which are below the line of the railing. Unfortunately, these are too low, meaning that sheets and futons have to be hung carefully to prevent them from resting on the balcony floor. This resident has erected his own (more common style of) washing line at a more practical height.

Materials: Plastic Line
Location: Setagaya, Tokyo.

This example is a note for a pamphlet on “Hand Made Aspects of Mass Produced Housing”. Subscribe to my somewhat-frequent letter HERE if you want to keep in touch easily.

Lower level balcony garden blends in with planted grounds.

Location: Setagaya, Tokyo.

This example is a note for a pamphlet on “Hand Made Aspects of Mass Produced Housing”. Subscribe to my somewhat-frequent letter HERE if you want to keep in touch easily.

Easier access step created with breeze block and concrete.

Materials: Breeze Block, Concrete
Location: Nagoya

Clothes hangers stored outside on a piece of string hung from the rafters. Compact, convenient.

Materials: String
Location: Nagoya

Apartment structure and door frame form two posts for a clothesline made of string right in front of the washing machine.

Materials: String
Location: Nagoya

Ramshackle arrangement of pots mark the entrance to this shuttered store and workshop.

Location: Nagoya
Materials: Potplants

Small space + oversize auto = reflective parking tape on a dangerous corner.

Materials: Reflector Tape
Location: Akishima-shi, Tokyo

Ground floor apartment balcony given privacy (for hanging out washing) through the arrangement of corrugated plastic scraps.

Material: Corrugated Plastic
Location: Akishima, Tokyo

The boundary of a driveway modified as a pot plant display area and seat for outdoor BBQs.


Materials: Wood
Location: Akshima, Tokyo

Breeze blocks even out too-large entry steps.

Materials: Breeze Blocks
Location: Akishima, Tokyo

Packing straps bracing two drain pipes together. A bucket forms the repository.



Materials: Packing Strap, Bucket
Location: Tachikawa, Tokyo

Plastic and tape cover old name plate in unoccupied house.

Materials: Plastic, Tape
Location: Akishima, Tokyo

Duct tape across post box signals an unoccupied house.

Materials: Duct Tape
Location: Akishima, Tokyo

Rope barrier/gate reinforced, strengthened and given weight (helps stop it swinging in the breeze) with wire wrapped around its length.

Materials: Wire, Rope
Location: Tachikawa, Tokyo

Trees support a laundry pole construction in Tokyo’s Tachikawa suburbs.

Materials: Laundry Pole
Location: Tachikawa, Tokyo

Trees support a bamboo pole based washing line construction in Tokyo’s Tachikawa suburbs. I love the way the structure blends in with the surroundings – its temporary form touching lightly on the landscape.

A flexible, elegant and economical solution to a very domestic need.

Materials: Bamboo, Twine
Location: Tachikawa, Tokyo

Potplants secured top their precarious wall-top position with bricks.

Materials: Bricks
Location: Akishima, Tokyo