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

Dog Enclosure in Wire Rack and Breeze Block

The dog has the run of the yard – kept in check with wire racks on the gate and a breeze block for stability.

Dog Enclosure in Wire Rack and Breeze Block
Dog Enclosure in Wire Rack and Breeze Block
Dog Enclosure in Wire Rack and Breeze Block

Materials: Wire Rack, Breeze Block
Location: Nagoya

DIY Subway Benches

Concrete blocks topped with wooden boards form robust public benches (created by station staff) in Nogizaka station.
Thanks to @remmid for the tip and photo.

Materials: Concrete Block, Wood
Location: Nogizaka Station, Tokyo

No Parking Collage

“No parking” sign + prevention fashioned out of breeze block, wire, metal grill and ubiquitous no-parking sign.

No Parking Collage
No Parking Collage
No Parking Collage
No Parking Collage
No Parking Collage
No Parking Collage
No Parking Collage
No Parking Collage

Materials: Wire, Breeze Block, Metal Grill, No Parking Sign
Location: Nagoya

Step-up in Breeze Blocks

Easier access step created with breeze block and concrete.

Step-up in Breeze Blocks
Step-up in Breeze Blocks
Step-up in Breeze Blocks

Materials: Breeze Block, Concrete
Location: Nagoya

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

Ball Storage in Breeze Block

A breeze block acts as simple and effective storage for a single baseball.

Ball Storage in Breeze Block

Material: Breeze Block
Location: Akishima, Tokyo

Security or Stabilization?

A medium size potted bamboo plant is secured to a breeze block and signpost with a long length of plastic twine (one key item in the urban gardener’s arsenal).

What is the function of this construction? Is it a security device – being of just enough nuisance to discourage late-night strollers from lightheartedly taking it home (It is easy pickings for any determined thief)?. Is it a stabilizing defense against high-winds? Or, does it simply prevent the pot from falling/being bumped over in its precarious position?

(First published on Tokyo DIY Gardening)

Security or Stabilization
Security or Stabilization
Security or Stabilization
Materials: Plastic Rope/Twine, Breeze Block, Signpost
Location: Sendagaya, 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]