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

Parked Bicycle Stabilisation System

Particularly intricate stabilisation system for parked bicycle. Prevents the bicycle blowing over in the wind, or being toppled by other errant parkers. It also provides a central stable element to prevent the whole row of cycles from falling in a strong wind.

A laundry pole is fixed to the parking structure with bungee cords at the top end. The bottom is stablised with breeze blocks and blanket scraps. The bicycle is attached to the makeshift structure with another bungee cord. The number written on the breeze block denotes the owner’s apartment number. I’m not sure of the function of the pegs and gloves.

Materials: Breeze Blocks, Bungee Cords, Blanket Scraps, Gloves, Pegs
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.

Breeze Block Trees

Judging from the bottles concreted into the ends of the breeze block planters, these trees have been here for decades.

They seem to have adapted their growth to the cramped residence while becoming large enough to provide a modicom of privacy and shade. Fresh pruning evidences ongoing care and attention.

I’m impressed that large plants could be grown in such an unforgiving, soil-less environment.

Breeze Block Trees
Breeze Block Trees
Breeze Block Trees
Breeze Block Trees
Breeze Block Trees
Breeze Block Trees

Materials: Breeze Blocks, Bottles
Location: Minami-ku, Nagoya

(Originally posted on Tokyo-DIY-Gardening.org)

Curbside Tiered Garden

Curbside tiered garden constructed on a base of two step benches, secured with breeze blocks and wire.

While making delightful use of the only outdoor space on the cramped corner plot (molded right to the edge), this garden guides visitors to the desired approach to the front door and presumably cuts down on hit-and-run pamphlet deliveries.

Curbside Tiered Garden
Curbside Tiered Garden
Curbside Tiered Garden
Curbside Tiered Garden
Curbside Tiered Garden

Materials: Step Bench, Wire, Breeze Blocks
Location: Nagoya

Tiered Garden and Plot

Two tiered gardens constructed from plastic planting shelves and old computer desk. Plot made of breeze blocks and plastic planks.

Tiered Garden and Plot
Tiered Garden and Plot
Tiered Garden and Plot
Tiered Garden and Plot
Tiered Garden and Plot
Tiered Garden and Plot
Tiered Garden and Plot
Tiered Garden and Plot

Materials: Breeze Blocks, Shelves, Computer Desk, Planters
Location: Akishima-shi, Tokyo

Garden in Planks, Pots and Breeze Blocks

Garden built on parking area – constructed of planks and breeze blocks. Notice that the garden is actually an aggregation of pot plants, which look like a cohesive whole due to rotting autumn leaves. Superb.
P1130816
P1130817
P1130818
P1130819
Materials: Planks, Pots, Breeze Blocks
Location: Akishima, Tokyo

Step Up

Breeze blocks even out too-large entry steps.

Materials: Breeze Blocks
Location: Akishima, Tokyo

Carpark Greening in Breeze Blocks

Breeze blocks that form the edging of a carpark double as sturdy plant pots.

Carpark Greening in Breeze Blocks
Carpark Greening in Breeze Blocks
Carpark Greening in Breeze Blocks
Carpark Greening in Breeze Blocks
Carpark Greening in Breeze Blocks

Materials: Breeze Blocks
Location: Nagoya, Aichi

Parking Space Demarcation in Breeze Blocks

Parking for the local hairdresser is marked out with painted breeze blocks. Robust, temporary, practical.

Parking Space Demarcation in Breeze Block
Parking Space Demarcation in Breeze Block

Materials: Breeze Blocks, Paint
Location: Akishima, Tokyo

Parking Bumper in Sponge Breeze Block

Sponge breeze blocks affixed to concrete breeze blocks with string form a safety bumper for errant parkers.
Parking Bumper in Sponge Breeze Block
Parking Bumper in Sponge Breeze Block
Parking Bumper in Sponge Breeze Block
Parking Bumper in Sponge Breeze Block

Materials: Breeze Blocks, Sponge Breeze Blocks, String
Location: Kamogawa, Chiba

Ways to Bridge the Stormwater Drain for Curbside Planting

Breeze blocks and wire planters bridge the stormwater drain, providing extra space for a curbside garden.
P1170508
P1170509
P1170510
P1170511
Materials: Breeze Blocks, Planters, Wire
Location: Hachioji, Tokyo

Green Wall in Pots and Planters

Green wall constructed from planters, breeze blocks and netting.
P1160957
P1160958
P1160959
P1160960
Materials: Planter, Breeze Block, Netting
Location: Akishima, Tokyo

Shrine Collage

A personal shrine in the backyard of a Nakano residence constructed in a collage of breeze blocks, wood, polystyrene and more.
P1160883
P1160884
Materials: Breeze Blocks, Wood, Polystyrene
Location: Nakano-Ku, Tokyo

Tiered Garden in Breeze Blocks and Board

Breeze blocks and board comprise a simple tiered pot plant garden on a street in the back of Harajuku.
P1160839
P1160840
Materials: Breeze Blocks, Wooden Board
Location: Harajuku, Tokyo

Tiered Garden in Breeze Blocks

Bricks and breeze blocks form a tiered pot plant garden in the back streets of Harajuku.
P1160838
P1160836
P1160837
Materials: Bricks, Breeze Blocks
Location: Harajuku, Tokyo

String Supported Bonsai

Bonsai trained/supported with string on a breeze block shelf.

Materials: String, Breeze Blocks
Location: Akishima, Tokyo

Breeze Block Outdoor Sponge and Hose Storage

Breeze blocks form a simple storage set for sponges and a hose.




Material: Breeze Blocks
Location: Akishima, Tokyo

Breeze Block Shelves

Breeze blocks support shelves in suburban green house.



Material: Breeze Blocks
Location: Akishima, Tokyo

Breeze Block Planter Garden

Front-of-house planter garden fashioned from breeze blocks. Note broken block wedged into drain to secure planters in front of breeze blocks. Note also that holes in breeze blocks are filled in with dirt and used to support the plant trainers spanning the width of the garden.



Materials: Breeze blocks
Location: Ome, 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]