co+laboradovićthe results of the co+labo part in the reserach project Measuring the non-Measurable was presented in Stabat Mater Lecture Hall at Archiginnasio of the University of Bologna - one of the places which best illustrate the field of our investigations - spatial quality which reaches beyond our abilities to (re)present   

In late June, Darko Radović gave a key-note address at the International Conference Past, Present and Future of Public Space. The Conference was organised by City Space Architecture and masterfully chaired and managed by Luisa Bravo and her team at the University of Bologna. The paper entitled Public-private Interface? The challenges from Japan, Asia and the times of Globalisation (see an abstract and illustrations below), was delivered in the amazing space of the Stabat Mater Hall, the illustrious history of which still resonates with the sounds of Gioacchino Rossini's music, initially performed in that very room in 1842, conducted by none else but Gaetano Donizzetti. And, that is only one, "small" segment in the history of lectures, debates and performances which are enacted in that space since 1563, when the Archiginnasio was open to public. (Measure that!)

The invitation to present co+labo research in that shrine of higher education, along with rich discussions that followed the key-note provided strong inspiration to persist with our investigations of the most precious spatial qualities across cultures and scales.

Abstract

This paper presents fragments of an investigation into the concept of urbanity across cultural boundaries. It is deliberately 'polemological' as, in de Certeau's way, it aims to open and offer to discussion a set of contentious issues, all in hope to “force theory to recognise its own limits”.

In the first segment, it presents an investigation of spatial relationships between public and private realms in Tokyo, focusing at the questions arising from the fact that Japanese language does not have a word equivalent to the term “public” - which indicates the absence of, or at least an unusual situation with the concept of public. That opens a number of themes linked to globalisation, the processes of which usually take many concepts, including that of public sphere, as universal. The ensuing set of themes make the second segment of the paper, exposing the conundrum of (dis)appearance of public, or equally dramatically that of private quality in a globalised world.

The third part of the paper does not aim conclude, but to open the discussion by presenting some of the methodological propositions, results and current attempts towards exploration of public/private interface conducted within the major research project Measuring the non-Measurable (Mn’M) at Keio University, Tokyo (2011-14). The outcomes of the project suggest that, as in life sciences, urban research needs new frameworks capable to embrace the non-reductive, methodologically inclusive study of whole systems. That means a much-needed radical departure from current reductionist orthodoxies and includes recognition and multiplication of subjectivities, an appreciation of the fullness of human multisensory experience, and celebration of diversity and difference generated by concrete social and physical contexts of each urban situation. The presentation is illustrated with examples of innovative methods tested within Mn’M which, as in Kenzo Tange’s definition of good design, sought dialectical synthesis of tradition and anti-traditionalism (eg. Debordean dérive and the latest in EEG “visualizations of thought and thinking”
).

Several slides from Darko's presentation:

     

co+laboradović    In the Search of Urban Quality Symposium completes the activities of co+labo Urban Research World Cup+Board @ the Brazil Embassy, Tokyo  

On 9 July, the co+labo fieldwork, which focused on exploring public opinion about the capability of major sporting events to contribute to making our cities better, ended with a short Symposium. André Corrêa do Lago (the Ambassador of Brazil in Japan), Heide Imai (Hosei University) and Darko Radović discussed the legacy of Tokyo 1964 and Barcelona 1992 and the progress and ambitions of Rio 2016, in the light of preparations for the Olympic Games 2020. That was followed by further discussions at the Embassy's World Cup Plaza, under the roof of Shigeru Ban Architects' pavilion. Draft results of the co+labo questionnaire provided more than enough themes, further stressing the need to advance public interest and focus on the quality of spaces and facilities for all citizens of the host city. 

co+labo continues to work on this exciting topic, making one of opening themes in our strategic partnership with Gehl Architects, Copenhagen.   

co+laboradović   an update on co+labo Urban Research Cup+Board @ the Brazil Embassy  

co+labo radović research continues within the Football World Cup Festa organised by the Embassy of Brazil in Tokyo, where we have set up our fieldwork cupboard within the Pavilion, designed specially for this occasion by Shigeru Ban Architects. Saturday 5 July was a particularly busy day, with many supporters braving the rainy Tokyo morning to celebrate another Brazil win at the World Cup - and thus helping co+labo students do a very good job, collecting public opinion about the impact of the great sporting events on public life and public space. The Japanese and Brazilian media were covering the event. The Ambassador or Brazil in Japan André Corrêa do Lago, a renowned connoisseur of architecture and the curator of the Brazilian Pavilion at the Biennial di Venezia 2014 took time for a chat with co+labo students. 
What we are doing there is, of course, only a part of the much larger event. The Embassy has released a programme of activities for the next several events - one of which is co-organised by co+labo radović (highlighted red, below). If you have time - please join us there.
- July 7^th, 18.00 “Modernity as Tradition”, informal talk by Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago on Brazilian architecture + GA Houses launch.

 Ambassador Corrêa do Lago acted as curator for the Brazilian Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2014. He will share his views on the singularity of Brazilian architectural identity, that does not build on ancient traditions, but rather creates a widely recognizable modern architecture that is THE Brazilian architecture. Following the talk, GA Houses will present its two editions featuring contemporary Brazilian residences.
- July 9^th, 12.00 “Wasteland” (“Lixo Extraordinário”), documentary, directed by Lucy Walker.

WASTE LAND follows renowned artist Vik Muniz as he journeys to his native Brazil and the world's largest garbage dump, Jardim Gramacho, located on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro. There he photographs an eclectic band of “catadores”—self-designated pickers of recyclable materials.
- July 9^th, 18.00 “Global Sport Events and Quality of Urban Space – from Brazil World Cup 2014, to Rio Olympics 2016 and Tokyo Olympics 2020” Seminar, moderated by Professor Darko Radovic (Keio University).

Global sporting events, such as Football World Cup and the Olympic Games, invigorate discussion about huge number of issues. The impact of those events is enormous and their capacity to provide lasting legacy is widely recognised as one of key drivers to facilitate change. In those discussions, everyone speaks about architecture, about the size, the cost, the aesthetics of buildings but, when it comes to true legacy of those events, the building are only part of what they produce. The longest lasting quality is that which addresses public interest and improves the lives of everyone. 

The discussion will be structured taking into account the opinions of the visitors of the  World Cup Pavilion (collected by Keio University co+labo radović).
- July 11^th, 17h00 "Brazil: Designers and brands to watch” presentation, by Designer Mateus Bagatini, Questto|Nó, a Innovation and Design office based in São Paulo Brazil.

co+laboradović   co+labo Urban Research World Cup+Board @ the Brazil Embassy, Tokyo 

As we informed the readers of our blog before, following the success of co+labo radović research pavilion in Jiyugaoka, we were invited to join the Football World Cup Festa organised by the Embassy of Brazil in Tokyo. We have set up our fieldwork cupboard within the Embassy's World Cup Pavilion, designed specially for this occasion by Shigeru Ban Architects and, over the next week, co+labo will be collecting opinions about the transformative capacity of global sporting events to make our cities better. The data will be used to open a discussion evening, co-organised by the Embassy and co+labo radović on 9 July, under the title  Global Sport Events and Quality of Urban Space: from the Brazil World Cup 2014, to Rio Olympics 2016 and Olympic Tokyo 2020.

If you are in Tokyo these days, please visit the Embassy Pavilion, enjoy the World Cup at that piece of Brazilian territory in Japan and help our research by giving us your opinion and ideas about those themes. If you are around on Wednesday evening, call the Embassy to book your place in discussion room and - see you there!

co+laboradović   Antonella, grazie e ... arrivederci!  

Antonella Colistra, our first exchange student from Politecnico di Milano's ABC, has completed her semester at co+labo Radović. She is going back to Polimi, to complete and defend her Masters Thesis in September. During her short three months at Keio, Antonella's contribution to various co+labo activities was great. She was involved in our urban research cupboard fieldwork sessions, organisation of the Urban Quality Symposium, co+labo Hokkaido Barn House design team and participated in a number of other activities. She was a great ambassador of Politecnico di Milano and her Professor, Marco Imperadori, the Vice-Rector for the Far East, and at Keio she leaves a number of new, good friends.

co+laboradović   Sano Satoshi receives High Commendation from Architectural Review, UK 

Architect Sano Satoshi (right, on the photo below), a member of co+labo since the laboratory was founded in 2009, and his architectural office Eureka have received a prestigious, High Commendation from Architectural Review, London. The High Commendation was awarded to one of his recent excellent projects, Dragon Court Village in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Sano-san is at the very heart of co+labo, involved in technical management, teaching, design-reserach and research, with generous dedication and talent which are helping nurture design excellence at co+labo.

Congratulations, Sano-san!

co+laboradović   co+labo Urban Research ... cupboard becomes the World cup+board 

Following the success of co+labo radović research pavilion in Jiyugaoka (see posts below), we were invited to join the Football World Cup Festival organised by the Embassy of Brazil in Tokyo and set up our modest cupboard within the Embassy Pavilion, designed for this occasion by Shigeru Ban Architects. 

The co+labo cupboard, thus, became co+laboworldcup+board, a place for collecting opinions of the visitors about the transformative capacity of global sports events, especially when it comes to quality of open public spaces. Data collection will be conducted by co+labo radović from 3 July 2014. Besides World Cup 2014 and Rio Olympics 2016, we will be interested in the potential of the forthcoming Tokyo Olympic Games 2020 to advance quality of life in this, biggest city in the world.

If you are in Tokyo, please visit the Embassy Pavilion, enjoy the World Cup at that piece of Brazil in Japan and help our research by giving us your opinion and ideas about those themes.

Below - the arrival of our black box, soon to unfold as the co+laboworldcup+board, to the Embassy of Brazil, early morning 15 June.

co+laboradović   latest co+labo book in Mn'M edition: In the Search of Urban Quality: 100 maps of Kuhonbutsugawa Street, Jiyūgaoka-都市の質を探して：自由が丘、九品仏川緑道百景

This book presents material compiled for one of the case studies conducted within Measuring the non-Measurable – Mn’M research project (keio University, 2011-14). It brings together a number of maps (and other, various ways of linking data to representations of territory) of one particular place in Tokyo - the precinct of Jiyūgaoka and, more precisely, only one of its streets, Kuhonbutsugawa Ryokudô. The focus on one small location in the largest city in the world is a message in itself.

The primary focus of Mn’M is on the elusive notions of urban quality. We enter discussions by challenging the very idea of measurability. In this book the emphasis is not on how to measure, but how to recognise, record and communicate urban quality, especially those aspects which tend to be left out, either declared “unimportant”, “too subjective” or, simply, too hard to deal with. Urban theories presented or, rather, touched upon in this small volume, are theories of action, arising from practical experiences in thinking and doing urban design and urban research in co+labo radović, Tokyo (an urban design and architecture laboratory at Keio University, which is the hub of Mn’M project, and its various associates), and co+labo international strategic partner, Gehl Architects, Copenhagen – with texts by Jan Gehl, Birgitte Svarre and David Sim.

One of the most important aims of In the search of Urban Quality is modest - to stress the importance of those elements and practices which constitute the urban and which tend to considered “too small”, or overtly “subjective”, and to present ways of recognising and nourishing those qualities. At the other end is a very ambitious aim, so ambitious that it borders with hope - to help empower the citizens to think about urban quality, to get informed, see how her/his experiences inform broader issues, to try to communicate own impressions and knowledges and, eventually, to request the quality he/she considers important. One of basic entitlements of each citizen is the right to the city, Lefebvrian “right to the oeuvre (participation) and appropriation (not to be confused with property but use value)”.

The book can be purchased, along with all other Mn'M publications, through the publishers www site.

co+laboradović   co+labo Spring Urban Research ... cupboard 
In the period 23-25 May 2014, co+labo Urban Research Pavilion was back in Kuhonbutsugawa Street. This time it was conceptualised as an urban cupboard. When open, our urban cupboard consisted of two tatami-sized volumes of shelves and foldable benches which, as a true treasure cupboard, reflected the richness and diversity of the Green Promenade, exhibiting the objects borrowed from supportive shops and cafes along the street. When locked overnight, the cupboards were transformed into a perfect cube, a blackboard which invited the passers-by to leave their marks and comment on urban quality of this subtle suburb of Tokyo.

As co+labo students and researchers were conducting their regular, various data-collection research exercises, they attracted and engaged more citizens than ever before. The playful cupboard attracted a number of children, who took its blackboard surfaces as a serious challenge and offered a lot of ... feedback, and "design proposals" (while their parents were dutifully filling in our research questionnaires). 

The activities of the Spring Pavilion were coordinated with the Symposium On Thinking, Making and Living Public Space … towards Tokyo 2O2O (held at Keio University on 24 May), included working celebration of the new, collaborative research and design-research unit co-established by Gehl Architects, Copenhagen and co+labo Radović, Tokyo; and distributed a number of copies of 都市の質を探して：自由が丘、九品仏川緑道百景, In theSearch of Urban Quality: 100 maps of Kuhonbutsugawa Street, Jiyugaoka, new book which documents some of the results of the work conducted in Jiyugaoka by co+labo Radović so far.

co+labo Spring Urban Research Pavilion has, as on two previous occasions, been generously supported by local Jiyugaoka community and LIXIL Foundation. 

co+laboradović   Thinking, Making and Living Public Space ... towards 2O2O Symposium 
Thinking, Making and Living Public Space … towards Tokyo 2O2O Symposium, organised by co+labo on 25 May 2014, has brought together a group of  participants variously involved in production of open urban spaces, from academia + practice + local stake-holders + industry. A very intensive programme included presentations by Darko Radović (Keio, co+labo), Tadao Ishikawa (Jiyugaoka machi zukkuri and J Spirit), Kengo Kuma (University of Tokyo and KKAA), Yoshitaka Oshima (Smart Cities), David Sim (Gehl Architects) and discussion chaired by Davisi Boontharm (Keio and Sofia University). A number of the participants from Keio University, Chiba University, Jiyugaoka, Tokyo 2020 Olympocs Organising Committee, University of Tokyo and others took part in discussion.

The Symposium announced the beginning of collaboration between co+labo Radović and Gehl Architects, and launched new book in the Mn'M series In the Search of Urban Quality: 100 maps of Kuhonbutsugawa Street, Jiyugaoka (Radović, Boontharm; flickStudio).

co+laboradović        co+labo invites you to visit Spring Urban Research Pavilion In the Search of Urban Quality in Jiyugaoka (23-25 May 2014) and take part in Thinking, Making and Living Public Space ... towards 2O2O Symposium at Keio Hiyoshi Campus (25 May) 

As announced in our previous blog entries, co+labo radović has started active collaboration with Urban Quality Consultants Gehl Architects from Copenhagen, focusing at better understanding and improving of the quality of open urban spaces in East and South East Asia. 

GehLaboRadović will be formally announced during the Spring Urban Research Pavilion - In the Search of Urban Quality, to be held at our regular data-collection site in Kuhonbutsugawa Ryokudo, in Jiyugaoka (23-25 May 2014), and introduced at the Thinking, Making and Living Public Space … towards Tokyo 2O2O Symposium at the Keio Hiyoshi Campus (24 May 2014). The event will also launch the latest book of Measuring the non-Measurable series - In the Search of Urban Quality: 100 maps of Kuhonbutsugawa Street, Jiyugaoka (Radović, Boontharm; flickStudio).

The main Urban Research Pavilion pavilion activities will include further co+labo investigations of the remarkable promenade and adjoining spaces in Jiyugaoka, with involvement of David Sim (Gehl, Copenhagen) and Mitsukura Yasue (EEG expert, Keio University).

The Symposium will include the participants from academia + practice + local stake-holders + industry involved in production of high-quality open urban spaces: co+labo radović + GehLaboRadović + Keio University + Kengo Kuma + University of Tokyo + Jiyugaoka machi zukkuri  + J-Spirit + Meguro-ku + Setagaya-ku planners + LIXIL Foundation + guests.