The “Umbrella House” for Swallow is an elegant structure with white floating roof standing on the green park, just beside the thick gray concrete wall of Bldg. 6, which form an unexpected harmony. The idea is introduced from the ecology of swallow and the character of its habitat. Though, instead of a thick wall on which we could provide the swallow their nest, we chose the very delicate material of umbrella. It’s not only about the idea of recycling but from the studying its skeleton and organization we could get much information and relationship with this material and our target. We tried to combine them in a way that they could form a perfect geometry to hold each other as well as to create enough space and shade for swallows to build their nest.
Waste Disposal
While in the early Meji Period the disposal of waste was part of a spatially limited and circular network, linking agricultural fields with markets and houses, and from there, when not recycled, again to the fields, the economic and demographic growth of the post-war period, especially in Tokyo, saw the introduction of public waste collection, primarily disposed of in landfills. This unilinear processing from production to consumption began to be increasingly called into question, starting in the mid-1980’s with the introduction of a new recycling system involving an evermore refined rubbish separation for recyclable goods, the exploitation of mix-waste for energy in large power stations, and hazardous waste being exported and reprocessed overseas. The waste-management system has thus evolved into a large, complex, and sometimes invisible chain involving multiple actors. Waste is no longer perceived as either a purely homogenous and useful resource or solely as landfill material, but rather as consisting of different constituents with varying values and repurposing potentials.
Toilet
The development of the toilet and the treatment of excrement in Japan are closely linked to a growing mechanization of the lavatory as a device and its progressive shift vis-à-vis the house from outdoors to indoors. In the Edo and early Meji Periods toilets were located at the edge of or outside the house. Conceived as a squat-latrine system, made out of wood, it was adapted for the easy collection of the excrement, which was then used as fertilizer. Between the World Wars, new systems, new materials, and even new toilets (for instance toilet bowls) were slowly introduced, while the collection of sewage became more and more mechanized, with basket collection being successively replaced by trucks, then mobile vacuum-extraction units, and later still by a Western type of sewage system with pipes. In recent years the predominant European-based device has become hyper-Japanized, highly automated (including washing, drying, background noise, cleaning, disinfecting, etc.), and even described and praised as something kawaii (cute, adorable) in the public narrative.
Through Palazzo
The Ebisu site has interesting points to concern in order to design a good Palazzo in this area. The road in front of the Ebisu site connects Shibuya; the most crowded and fashionable area in Tokyo, and Ebisu; calm and luxurious area, together. Moreover, the characteristics of the site are unique. It is long and narrow. It is also located along the Shibuya river.; the old river that has long history behind it.
With these interesting site conditions we discovered, our design approaches for the Palazzo in Ebisu are; to create relationship between users and pedestrians, and architecture together, and to create good environments for urban contexts (likes, public open spaces, gardens, etc. )
Mother Trap
In the analyze part we had as a case of study a woman with a high degree diploma. She is confronted into two choices, being a mother and have a family or having a career. At last, she chose to be a mother.
By “Mother trap palazzo” project we want to bring a solution for moms like her, who wants to be a mom and have a family but also, make use of her studies and why not keep on working. And in the same time enjoy what all women needs, beauty salons, boutiques, and outdoor places.
That’s why we imagined a building in which a mom could live with her family, take care of her child, work and relax all in one. We wanted it to be a place where a mom doesn’t worry about her child during the day, the kindergarten is just located on the first floor.