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

Ashtray Birdfeeder

Oranges secured with wire to metal ashtrays act as effective and colourful birdfeeders – adding life, scent and song to suburban Tokyo.

Ashtray Birdfeeder
Ashtray Birdfeeder
Ashtray Birdfeeder

Materials: Ashtray, Wire, Plastic Pole
Location: Akishima-shi, Tokyo

Poor Shot Protection in Netting

Plastic bamboo poles and netting are used to add height to a playground/creche fence to help prevent loose soccer shots from straying onto the road.
Poor Shot Protection in Netting
Poor Shot Protection in Netting
Poor Shot Protection in Netting
Poor Shot Protection in Netting
Materials: Netting, Plastic Pole
Location: Tachikawa, Tokyo

Preparing a Green Curtain

A large scale foundation for creeping greens constructed from simple materials – netting, plastic twine, and plastic rods. Coming up to, and through, the summer the climbers should take over this frame, creating shade and privacy in the summer months (like a living sudare (簾:すだれ)).

Preparing for Climbers
Preparing for Climbers
Preparing for Climbers
Preparing for Climbers

Materials: Netting, Plastic Twine, Plastic Rods
Location: Kokubunji, Tokyo

Exterior Lighting in Pole and Cord

Exterior lighting constructed from the cord of a portable spotlight fastened to a plastic pole leant against wall and supported by overhang. Electrical cord wrapped around pole takes up the slack and provides a saftey net in case of pole slippage.
Exterior Lighting in Pole and Cord
Exterior Lighting in Pole and Cord
Exterior Lighting in Pole and Cord

Materials: Plastic Pole, Electrical Cord
Location: Shibuya, Tokyo

Entranceway Tree Training in Plastic Pole

A tree is trained over an entrance way by being tied to a plastic pole.
P1160973
P1160974

Materials: Plastic Twine, Plastic Pole
Location: Akishima, Tokyo

Creeper Prep and Hanging Potplants

Plastic twine zig-zagged between a plastic pole and nails over a street-front window forms a base for a creeper to climb. Potplants hung off the bottom provide extra garden space. Spare, a little dirty, but functional.
P1160967
P1160968
P1160970
P1160971
P1160972

Materials: Plastic Twine, Plastic Pole
Location: Akishima, Tokyo

Hanging Gardens of Harajuku

Hanging potplant gardens in residential Harajuku constructed from plastic poles tied to existing trees. Plants hang over entrance way and alcove.
P1160851
P1160850P1160849
P1160848
P1160847
P1160846
P1160845
Materials: Plastic Tape, Plastic Poles
Location: Harajuku, 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]