From the Meji Period to today the genkan (a Japanese house-entry-cum-doormat) has evolved from a space of etiquette to a functionalistic space, and nowadays to a space of convenience. In the Meji Period a representative house had three entrances with a front genkan (表玄関), an inner genkan (内玄関), and a katteguchi (an outside connecting door) in the kitchen, reflecting the different social statuses of the master, family members, and servants. Etiquette required a long spatial sequence from the main entrance to the reception rooms, carefully designed and staging the best views to the garden. In post-war apartment houses the traditional design of the genkan was simplified to make it a compact space containing various functions such as storage, washing, receiving goods, or making phone calls. In essence it is designed as a public space inside an apartment. However, in contemporary high-rise residential buildings the boundary between the private interior and the public exterior has been overly stretched by the introduction of common entrance lobbies where guests can be welcomed on the ground floor. Moreover, a series of technical devices, such as cameras, sensors, automatic doors, elevators, and intercoms, have been introduced for security, accessibility, and comfort, again physically lengthening the distance to the private door to an even greater extent.
THE REPAIRER PRODUCTION
Focusing on the behavior of maintainers in Ike- bukuro, this project aims to propose an alternative way to the maintenance free system and relying on repair services. Here, maintenance skills can be trans- mitted, acquired and practiced. People in Ikebukuro can bring their unwanted items from the city and re- cycle them into the things needed to run the building. When things used in this building break down, they can be brought here again for maintenance. The pic- ture (Image 3) shows the cycle of goods throughout the Marui Building from the aspect of maintenance.
The design process went through the following pro- cess. First, we observed the behavior of “MAINTAIN- ERs” in Ikebukuro and analyzed the tools, the sur- rounding environment, clothing, and how they relate to the object of maintenance. As a result, we were able to find a connection between each maintenance be- havior by focusing on the “gloves” they wore.
Secondly, we categorized each maintenance behavior by the “gloves” people use, and efficiently arranged tools, sinks and desks suitable for each behavior.
Finally, by connecting the zones divided by the types of “gloves” with desks, rivers, and hanging shelves, we designed a mixture that would create a transmis- sion of skills.
Affection towards building and cities depends on whether they can be SELF MAINTAINED. Therefore, by creating this floor, we are able to develop a stronger attraction to the MARUI Building and Ikebukuro.
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Nippori / Station as Threshold
Nippori Station is where the Narita line transfers to the Yamanote line. It is the first station where foreign tourists arrive, a number that has increased recently. Many foreigners move to the transfer trains while dragging their suitcases. Yanaka Ginza is located to the west side of the station. It is a popular sightseeing spot where old-fashioned townscapes are surprisingly well-preserved as they escaped war damage and the large scale development in the city center. Nippori station holds 14 train tracks. It consisted of 2 bridge outsite of ticket gate that connects west-east side of the station, and 3 bridges that connects several platform inside the ticket gates. The bridge that connects the east and west side of the city located in the north is a famous spot called the “Train Museum”, crowded with people who come to watch many kinds of trains pass on the track. In the future, where the ticket gate will be touchless and gateless, there will be nothing to separate these two bridges from each other. Exploring the use of local potential for the tourism in future, what would bridge of Nippori station will look like? The two types of bridges are connected so that people can come and go in between and a luggage service is set up on the Keisei line side. This will create an opportunity for the foreign tourists to use their spare time enjoyably while waiting for flights at Narita airport, or for the of hotel check-in, by being able to walk in Yanaka Ginza. A middle floor between the platform and the bridge is installed to develop a train museum. For the local people this intervention will become the base of spreading the culture of Yanaka Ginza to foreign countries. In the flow of local people and foreign visitors passing by each other, the fusion space of two kinds of bridges will be the meeting point where cultures form distant foreign countries meet each other. This is symbolized by the roof structure that alternately straddles the two bridges.
Ginza Rocks
The assignment is to design a “Palazzo” for Tokyo in Ginza. The site is located an intersection of Chuo Dori and a typically narrow Old Ginza backstreet.
Our Ginza Palazzo is a building that reinforces the urban qualities of Ginza. It tries to bring more public space and innovation in this very commercial and increasingly homogenous area.
The idea of our Palazzo is to bring a space that can evolve and host different types of program. The use of the Plan Libre permits to create large open spaces. Those ones are divided to create shops, organize to create offices and opened to create a residential community at the four top floors of the Palazzo. We wanted to create a great relations between the different levels and program and make them communicate.
Then, the rooftop made by a large cornice is accessible to the public and offers a special program in order to contemplate Ginza in a very special atmosphere.