***LATEST***
COMPETITION NEXT GENERATION SUSTAINABLE HOUSE in Taiki-cho, Hokkaido

co+labo shortlisted

As reported in February, co+labo was invited to take part in an exciting design competition for NEXT GENERATION SUSTAINABLE HOUSE in Taiki-cho, Hokkaido - along with nine other selected top schools of architecture (Tshingua University, China Academy of Art, Columbia University, MIT, AA School of Architecture, Aalto University,  Technische Universität München, Politecnico di Milano, ETH Zürich, Universitetet i Oslo, Tohoku University and - Keio/co+labo)


The results of the first phase of the competition have been released, and three works for second and decisive phase have been selected:

• Aalto University,  Finland ( the Five Three House project, Professor Kimmo Lylykangas) 
• ETH, Switzerland (the Transient Boundary project, Professor Arno Schlueter)
• Keio University, co+labo (the Barn project, Professor Darko Radović) 

co+labo student competition team:
         Millica Muminović 
         Komatsu Katsuhiko 
         Hashida Wataru
         Shinohara Masato 
         Kato Yoshiaki
         Sasamura Yoshihiro




The second phase of judging will be open to public, held 27 April 2012 1.30-5.30 p.m. at the United Nations University in Aoyama, Tokyo. 
You can find more information and images (in Japanese language) at the KENCHIKU www site.
















You can register your attendance at the final presentation and session of the Jury at United Nations University at http://www.kenchiku.co.jp/event/detail.php?id=3436.

**LATEST**

small Tokyo

a new book, edited by Darko Radović and Davisi Boontharm, was published by Flick Studio and IKI

This bilingual collection of essays brings together the results of urban and architectural research which, from a variety of angles, focuses at one aspect of urban character of Tokyo, the surprising and seemingly contradictory juxtaposition of its essential bigness – as the largest city in the world, and an ubiquitous smallness – of urban spaces, architectural objects and practices which constitute everyday realities of Tokyoites.

small Tokyo aims to contribute to theorising of that apparent incongruity, by addressing a variety of expressions of smallness as, simultaneously, (1) the broadest attitude, an expression of a particular way of being, (2) a culture-specific practice, and (3) a distinct physical reality which contributes to the uniqueness of urbanity of Tokyo. The book is equally addressed to the locals and foreigners. Its footing in research invites specialists, while style makes it accessible to general public.

The projects presented as small Tokyo were all conducted by foreigners with established interest in Japanese built environment and culture. The authors come from ten countries and four continents (Australia, Asia, America and Europe), and bring a variety of academic backgrounds, which include geography, urbanism, landscape architecture, architecture, ethnology, cultural studies. The Preface was written by Paul Waley. The book opens with edited fragments from conversation between distinguished architect Kengo Kuma (University of Tokyo), famous urban historian, Hidenobu Jinnai (Hosei University, Tokyo), and Darko Radović (Keio University, Tokyo) which sets the stage of small Tokyo. The next segment opens the main body of the book. In “Unzipped Tokyo Language, Body, Architecture”, Liotta playfully relativizes and positions the issue of smallness. Slater’s first hand account of the post-earthquake crisis follows, providing a fine, intensely human and critical contextualization of the key issues: Tokyo in the times of multiple crisis.

Third part is the Pandora’s box of small Tokyo. In her understated, poetical tone, Jonas turns our attention towards one commonly overlooked, disparaged, but critically important form of urban life. She explains how weeds make a surprising contribution to biodiversity of the megalopolis. Niijsink presents an exploration of urban morphology of an old and rich Ginza, and explains the messages embodied in its, for Tokyo unusually regular, urban structure. Almazán opens the labyrinths of yokocho, modest in size, but experientially rich eating and entertainment areas where all senses get provoked. Boontharm explores multiple urbanities of Tokyo, with emphasis on creative milieus and nodes of intensity where fashion and reuse intersect. The miniscule size of those nodes belie their contribution to overall culture of the city.

Rahman adds to the theme of ecological diversity by introducing its multiscalar character. Her analysis of parks, with an accent on the importance of the smallest amongst them. Worrall’s essay brings back the yokocho, only to venture deeper into rich spatial and experiential labyrinth of Kichijoji, confirming the critical contribution of “high resolution urbanism” to an overall urbanity of the metropolis. Imai follows by expanding the theme of ecological niches towards some fine cultural ecologies, reaching into the finesse of specific nodes of creativity which add to the fame of Nezu and Yanaka. Aneglidou takes the topic of creativity inside, into some of the famous galleries of Tokyo, and discusses their creative strategies to both present the cutting edge design, and to survive in the climate which favours big and glitzy.

Part four ends, but was not aimed to conclude the volume. Its draw the attention to threats to small spaces and practices that make Tokyo – Tokyo. Radović’s essay invites the reader to recognize dangers of unrestrained overdevelopment which destroys the fine fabric of cultural diversity in Tokyo, and all around the world.

The Editors' thanks go to technical assistants, Dr Heide Imai and Takashi Takei, and the support team (PhD students Milica Muminović, Pega Sanoamuang, and Bojan Končarević), without whose committed work the undertaking would be impossible.

Very special thanks go an excellent technical editorial team: flick Studio (Shinya Takagi and Takako Ishida), Studio Seto (Mie Arioka), graphical design team Tokyo Pistol (Tomofumi Yoshida and Kensaku Kato), and our production coordinator, Ms Kumi Aizawa (ichii Shoubou), for producing this volume.

small Tokyo was produced within an international research project, Measuring the non-measurable: eco-urbanity analysis of the relationship between urban densities and intensities, which is conducted by International Keio Institute for Architecture and Urbanism – IKI (2011-13) and supported by the Japanese Ministry of Education and Training Strategic Research Grant. Keio University, International Institute for Architecture and Urbanism, IKI and co+labo Radović provided supportive conditions for work on production of the volume.

DB, DR

Saturday, 31 March is Takei Takashi's last day at  co+labo. 

Over the last three years, he has given an excellent contribution to our laboratory, both as a student and then as an Mn'M Technical and Research Assistant.

We all thank Takei-san for being a true co+labo member, and we wish him all the best in his professional career, with excellent Mt Fuji Architects

Early days, 2010 - with Darko and Mizuguchi-san.

“From the window opening onto rue R. facing the famous P. Centre, there is no need to lean much to see into the distance. To the right, the palace-centre P., the Forum, up as far as the (central) Bank of France. To the left up as far as the Archives. Perpendicular to this direction, the Hôtel de Ville and, on the other side, the Arts et Métiers. The whole of Paris, ancient and modern, traditional and creative, active and lazy”, wrote 

Henri Lefebvre, conceptualising urban rhythmanalysis 

(Lefebvre, 2004: 28). Here is our view, 

a view from  the co+laboradović  window
(Yagami Campus, Building 14, 6th floor)  which captures one of many rhythms of Tokyo.

SD GRADUATION CEREMONY 2012

co+labo + Leeds  Metropolitan  University
second part of the collaborative design/research project, funded by Daiwa Foundation
TOKYO 2012 DESIGN WORKSHOP
held 23-29.3.12 @ Keio, was successfully completed

Final day: discussion and presentation work 

Fieldwork at Nezu and Yanaka 

A leeds+co+labo team visit to Nezu Shrine

(photo by Finn Keeffe, a Manchester-based paparazzo)

Work at co+labo accelerates ... combined UK-Japanese teams in action.

An introduction into the fieldwork method by Milica Muminović, co+labo PhD candidate.

 

Dinner at an izakaya in Hiyoshi.

the opening: 23.3@Keio

From an introductory lecture by Darko Radović

A lecture by Jorge Almazán

Greg Keefe and Leeds&co+labo students

co+labo + Leeds  Metropolitan  University
first part of the collaborative design/research project, funded by Daiwa Foundation
MANCHESTER 2012 DESIGN WORKSHOP
held 23-29.2.12 @ Biospheric Foundation, Salford, was successfully completed 

the focus of the workshop was on urban biodiversity

host:

          Biospheric Foundation, Vincent Walsh, Founder and Director
participants:

          Leeds Metropolitan University, Professor Greg Keeffe and his students

          Keio University, Professor Darko Radović, co+labo students  

          Bratislav Gaković, Architect (Manchester)

          Sano Satoshi, Architect (Tokyo), a co+labo associate

co+labo Manchester United team: 
       Lemmonier
       Kato
       Hoshikawa
       Akatsuka

 to be continued ...

co+labo + Leeds  Metropolitan  University

second part of the collaborative design/research project, funded by Daiwa Foundation

TOKYO 2012 DESIGN WORKSHOP

will be held 23-29.3.12 @ co+labo Radović