pet architecture*

no matter how many times i look at my storage space and think i should cut down on certain things, when it comes to books i fail with a blast. my list has lengthened again and there is one book in particular i felt was more than worth sharing with you!
having researched japanese architecture and nature, i became fascinated when the case reached the contemporary need to create habitable space in anything that exceeds. a movement was developed called "pet architecture" also starring the coolest firm - bow wow.

so, pet architecture namely concerns architectural works that evolve in awkward spaces between old buildings, narrow alleys, sharp corners and rigid space that was left after others constructed. these are spaces which seem unlikely to bear the ability to house one person, not to mention an entire family!

within the concept of recycling space, using what you have without spreading the city over more and more rural area, the idea of pet architecture actually coincides with some areas of a very old japanese design logic. having respect for your sources, using them in a way that contributes and playing with contradictory elements like boundaries and exteriors are characteristics that can be found deep in their architectrual past, and seeing them applied so differently (but still, applied) today in utterly urban and technologically advanced cities is simply thrilling!

this is another one of their books showcasing work along these fascinating lines. the design is impeccable and the entire book is a great source of inspiration, especially for anyone who like me, lives in a very small space. it is amazing what you can do with unlikely material (not necessarily expensive) and how many ways there are to create more space!

ninkipen! architecture

japanese architecture studio with a very unique style in their solutions
ninkipen!
they are responsible for the omigachi global dispensing pharmacy, a "sandwitch" building in Osaka.
a building with light thin walls based on wooden columns and a thin, interior metallic structure.
the clear front facade creates a wonderful connection between the interior and exterior environment.

picture from our beloved dezeen

it is incredibly interesting how light and natural this building seems though integrated in a dense urban grid.

the design also consists of a subject we analyzed in our thesis quite a lot, the issue of privacy. the interior is visible from both front and back sides of the structure that seem to be a light cover for whatever activities will be involved. it invites the city wanderer to look and to enter. the warmth of the wooden surfaces also assist in that matter.

their website is also very interesting, there you can find a list of their projects.

the list is designed in a way that resembles paint cards you use to choose colors for your walls.

m house- takeshi hirobe architects

m house is in japan, designed by takeshi hirobe architects.

the design here plays with the meaning of "privacy" while trying to
bring a new connection between the house's interior and the outside environment,
a game we see quite often in contemporary japanese architecture.
we believe it is acheived here rather poetically, with the intrusion of light
through the different skylights that dig holes into the building's body, as well as with
the choice of materials...wood and beton seem to make such a beautiful combination
with the soft colors and the interior plants...don't you think?

what grasps one's attention is undoubtedly the amazing stairs...
they remind you of a spider web..and the way light filters through them and their rather bright white
come to such a contrast with the interior of the house...
as if the sole part that connects the inside with the outside world, your connection to the city life is seperate yet entirely a part of the building!

more details here.
got the pictures from here too.

layer house - hiroaki ohtani

architecture review on this blog
this is a great example of contemporary japanese architecture in today's contemporary city.

"it is what we call a "sandwich house", meaning a house built on a very narrow
site, quite a common thing in condensed japanese cities."

ishigami

japanese pavillion,venice architecture bienalle 2008.
πανω στο ηδη υπαρχον κτηριο προσκολλα μικρα σε κλιμακα 1:1 θερμοκηπια σαν παρασιτα σε αυτο.ειναι διαφανα με πολυ λεπτο σκελετο που μετα βιας στεκονται.η φυση αναριχαται σε αυτα και αρχιτεκτονημα και φυση γινονται ενα.εσωτερικα, δημιουργειται ενας χωρος βιωσιμος οπου συνυπαρχουν επιπλα και φυτα.μεσα στο παλιο κτηριο της bienalle σχεδιαστηκαν με μολυβι απευθειας στον τοιχο σχεδια και τοπογραφικα με φυσικα μοτιβα.

sejima

house in plum grove.
τετραγωνα ανοιγματα σε διαφορετικες θεσεις παιζουν με την εννοια της ιδιωτικοτητας τοσο μεταξυ των δωματιων οσο και μεταξυ εσωτερικου και εξωτερικου χωρου. η αρχιτεκτονας μελετησε την κυκλοφορια του αερα στο εσωτερικο μεσα απο τα ανοιγματα αυτα.

SANAA

glass pavillion, toledo museum of art, ohio, usa.
οι αρχιτεκτονες ηθελαν να υπαρχει συνεχεια του τοπιου μεσα στο περιπτερο το οποιο περιβαλλεται απο αιωνοβια δεντρα. ετσι, τα καμπυλα τζαμια δινουν την αισθηση οτι η φυση εισχωρει στο κτισμα εσωτερικα, ενω εξωτερικα η φυση αντανακλαται σε αυτα με τετοιο τροπο που το κτηριο εξαυλωνεται μεσα στο δασος.