Thanks to Jared Braiterman of Tokyo Green Space for this fix:
“I visited the Nezu Museum last week and saw this broom, resting in a cut-out of the outside wall. i love how this broom is just sitting near where it will be used, and there is NO concern for it being stolen.”
Materials: Nook
Location: Minato-Ku, Tokyo
Bicycles are parked in a way which creates a path of least distance from the exit of the train station to the nearest convenience store. I imagine that one reason for this courtesy is to try to stave off retribution for parking in a no parking zone – another may be the subconscious adherence to the paved markings in front of the shop (a very subtle but effective form of control).
Materials: Bicycles
Location: Akishima, Tokyo
Plastic sheeting, tubes and tape used to deal with a leaky roof in Shibuya station.
This work shows great skill and experience – from the placement and ‘give’ of the sheets to the way tape is used to adjust the angle of the tube and sheet to allow water to flow freely to the bucket placed at the bottom of the stairs.
I know that this type of construction is common in stations during rainy periods….anyone else have any photos?
Materials: Plastic Sheet, Plastic Tube, Tape
Location: Shibuya, Tokyo
“It appears big brother is watching this garbage disposal area but closer inspection reveals that the camera is a cleverly crafted replica made from a plastic bottle wrapped in black duct tape, sporting two drawing pins and with an old stereo cord added to complete the effect. I chuckle every time I pass partly at the fact that its not fooling anybody and partly at the fact that someone crafted and installed the device.” – courtesy of Byron Kidd
Materials: Pet Bottle, Stereo Cord, Duct Tape, Drawing Pins
A4 sign signalling a no-entry zone at rugby training.
Materials: Laminated A4, Plastic Twine
Location: Hino, Tokyo
Plastic and tape cover old name plate in unoccupied house.
Materials: Plastic, Tape
Location: Akishima, Tokyo
Reinforcing rods for the concrete block wall of a new house are made safe for passing eyes with the empty coffee cans of the construction workers.
Materials: Coffee Can
Location: Akishima, Tokyo
Upturned PET bottle makes a protrouding steel reinforcement rod safe for passing eyes.
Materials: PET Bottle
Location: Akishima, Tokyo
Duct tape across post box signals an unoccupied house.
Materials: Duct Tape
Location: Akishima, Tokyo
Sign ordering residents not to feed stray cats, or dump unwanted ones.
Materials: Laminated A4, Plastic Ties
Location: Akishima, Tokyo
A scrambled, semi-off-the-cuff presentation for the Institute for Information Design Japan workshop “Transforming Neighbourhoods – Tokyo/Berlin” organised by Jan Lindenberg.
View the presentation [ON SLIDESHARE]
Banned from smoking in the newly built residence (the last one burnt down) the man of the house has created a smoking area in his outdoor sink with an opened empty beer can tied to the stand with plastic twine.
Materials: Beer Can, Plastic Twine
Location: Akishima, Tokyo
Easy access for wheeled objects (shopping trolleys, bicycles, etc) created by placing a length of wood up the apartment complex steps. A piece of wood fixed to the lower end prevents slipping.
Materials: Wood
Location: Akishima, Tokyo
A bottle cap receptable (from recyclable PET bottles) attached to the apartment complex rubbish drop-off with a length of wire is a convenient community-use add-on.
Materials: Plastic Basket, Wire
Location: Akishima, Tokyo
The top of the rubbish drop-off point for this apartment complex has been transformed into a bright community flower garden. A lovely twist to the usually forboding and odorous gaping deadspace.
Location: Akishima, Tokyo
(Originally posted on Tokyo-DIY-Gardening)
Pot plants outside a suburban residential office demarcate parking space, prevent cyclist curb-cutting (safety), set the limits of the official office zone of use, and beautify.
Materials: Pots
Location: Akishima, Tokyo
(Originally posted on Tokyo-DIY-Gardening)
Laundry pole in fork of carport provides extra drying space for towels.
Materials: Laundry Pole, Carport
Location: Akishima, Tokyo
Hot summers demand on-demand paddling pools. This one is stored right where it is used, secured with a length of rope.
Materials: Rope
Location: Akishima, Tokyo
Loose bricks arranged around potplants in an attempt to beautify a mom-n-pop suburban retail space.
Materials: Bricks
Location: Akishima, Tokyo
Two types of gloves out to dry on a clothes hanger and garden rods.
Materials: Clothes Hanger, Garden Rods
Location: Akishima, Tokyo
