Japanese Houses Reading Response 4: Made in Tokyo (Introduction, Method) / Kaijima Monoyo, Kuroda Junzo, Tsukamoto Yoshiharu

22 March 2020

Japanese Houses Reading Response 4

Article: Made in Tokyo (Introduction, Method) / Kaijima Monoyo, Kuroda Junzo, Tsukamoto Yoshiharu

Summary
“Made in Tokyo” is a guidebook that features anonymous “da-me (bad) architecture” that integrates unrelated functions within the same structure to create an ambiguous feeling of being “very Tokyo”. “Da-me architecture” are everyday buildings with aspects of “off-ness” when overlapping category, structure and uses; appears chaotic; but creates freedom in integration. These buildings are not beautiful, but are practical and economically efficient as it integrates unusual urban ecology in response to its surrounding and programming needs, instead of adhering to aesthetic, form, culture and history.

Land is expensive in Tokyo, leading to void phobia. Even tiny spaces are filled with appropriate revenue-generating uses such as vending machines and signboards. Cross-categorical integration creates efficiency by removing unnecessary restrictions. For example, transit-oriented developments maximized value of land around transport nodes and ‘regulates’ the mixture of human and traffic spaces. Although chaotic, there is still logic in integrating functions, which are ordered through physical than content, to create a gigantic agglomeration of urban micro eco-systems.

The “da-me architectures” are documented through photos, drawings, maps, nicknames and text. The guidebook is a suitable format to analyse the urban planning of Tokyo, which is constantly re-constructing itself, because a guidebook does not require a conclusion.

Opinion
I agrees that “da-me architecture” like HDB flats defines a city. I had explored Tokyo by different transport modes; each gives a very different view of the “da-me architecture”, thereby constructing a very different impression of Tokyo. In addition, the boundaries of Tokyo’s neighbourhoods are never clearly defined, which leads to various boundaries, which can be confusing.

Urban planning is subjective. Each piece of land can be planned for alternative uses and there is no right or wrong in deciding the use of a site. Developments integrating various functions within the same building is the way forward for land-scarce cities.

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Japanese Houses Reading Response 4: Made in Tokyo (Introduction, Method) / Kaijima Monoyo, Kuroda Junzo, Tsukamoto Yoshiharu   © 文彬 2004~2024. All rights reserved.