Urban_Agenda_2020

AUG2R0EB2NA0DNA SINGAPORE | TOKYO 1

LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore Project Manager Nur Hidayah A. Bakar, Dean Faculty of Design [email protected] Project Team Lead and Creative Lead Michael Chen, Lecturer School of Design Communication, Faculty of Design [email protected] Copyright 2020 Faculty of Design, LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore Disclaimer Copyright of document belongs to Faculty of Design, LASALLE College of the Arts Any reference of materials mentioned that may bare similarities to published materials is purely coincidental. There should not be any unauthorised copies or similar replication, views and misuse of the document and information. Research, Design and Content by Catch-22 2All rights reserved.

About The Urban Agenda The city, as they say, is a social experiment in human history. The Urban Agenda project seeks to inquire on urban design issues which are complex because they are interwoven with other issues and it is difficult to isolate one particular issue and treat it independently from the others. Urban design history and theory, for example, cannot be studied without taking into consideration the traditions of a particular culture. This encapsulates the social and cultural underpinnings of the city or urban structures. Urban Agenda aims to map insights between the tensions of geography and consequence, between urban life and the quest of survival of dense populations will bridge different disciplines in terms of theoretical discourse and research, while converging the idea of design and the social science. 3

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Contents PREFACE pp.06 pp.08 THEME 1: OLD AND NEW pp.15 The Role of Built Heritage in Cities pp.21 pp.28 THEME 2: PUBLIC AND PRIVATE pp.37 Public Spaces and Blurred Boundaries THEME 3: INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL Design Mindset and Authorship THEME 4: HIGH AND LOW The Fidelity of a City THEME 5: BUSY AND QUIET Quietness in the City 5

Preface Cities are the centre of economic and social-political development. They are the crucibles of everyday human inven- tiveness through the rapid experimentation, market feedback and social copying processes that drive creative endeavour. That is why they matter, because cities represent the primary locus for the development of modern human civilisations. How do the urban systems and social-cultural fabrics of cities influence their inhabitants? How do city-dwellers manoeuvre, influence and shape the sprawling city that surrounds them? Most importantly who, or what, are the driving forces behind the rise and fall of cities around the world? These are just some of the thought-provoking questions that Urban Agenda 2020 aims to interrogate. This project aims to establish a precursor for designers to discover new paradigms and to identify new design opportu- nities within our great cities. It would serve as a guiding star and discussion guide for cultural inquiries, as designers embark on their own journeys to discover and investigate the difference between the social-cultural fabrics of Singapore and Tokyo, and how these unseen forces impact the cities they live in. 6

Framework If our built environment tells us of our cities’ history and progress, stories of our successes and failures, and narratives of endurance and triumph, then who decides which stories to reveal and which to bury? A city is more than its streets and its Apart from comparing and contrast- buildings - every nook and cranny contrib- ing the urban and socio-cultural fabrics of utes to its unique charm and character. Thus, both cities and simply answering “what is it is essential for designers to not just exam- similar or different between the two cities”, ine the architectural dimension of a city, but this edition of Urban Agenda aims to take also to pay close attention to how the built the inquiry a level deeper by challenging environment impacts the social-cultural students to think about “why we are simi- fabric that it encompasses. Instead of offer- lar or different”, and “how these differences ing commentaries of the differences in the impact the narratives of each respective urban systems in Singapore and Tokyo, the city”. Each theme would have a set of trig- publication aims to challenge, question and ger questions, and in doing so, provoke provide alternative lenses and perspectives the generation of new ideas, new interpre- to understanding these great cities, and tations, and new perspectives of the cities how they come to be. we have come to love. Themes Old and New Design of our Built Heritage Public and Private Design of Third Spaces High and Low Design of our Urban Vernacular and Urban Systems Busy and Quiet Designing Peace and Stillness in our Cities Internal and External Design Mindset and Authorship 7

Theme 1— Old and New The Role of Built Heritage of Cities HOW DO WE DISCERN THE HISTORY OF A CITY FROM ITS BUILDINGS? 8

Theme 1— Old and New The Role of Built Heritage of Cities “The history of a city is recorded in its buildings.” In studying urban systems of the past, present and future, the built heritage of a nation is a great way to tell of its history and progress. Consequently, the built heritage of a city can reveal a clearer sense of the larger national identity in question, building upon the character of the city. As inhabitants of the city, it is our duty within the community to preserve our built heritage so that it withstands the test of time as our cities continue to develop globally and flourish with its own distinct values and characteristics. Historic buildings and districts give us a visual and physical link to the nation’s past in the ever- changing urban landscape. By studying the reconstruction of urbanscapes in Singapore and Tokyo, we look at how a growing urbanised nation as opposed to a civilisation with origins of centuries ago decides on how their nation should make way to pave ground for contemporary architecture. 9

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Theme 1— Old and New The Role of Built Heritage of Cities The Preservation of Bukit Brown Cemetery For a tiny country with a short history and celebrate our rich and sacred past. of nationhood, Singapore understood the A paper which focuses on the study of importance of heritage conservation and Urban Systems in Singapore has pointed has invested significant resources and out the following: efforts in conserving buildings, landmarks, and culture nodes in the city, in order to “The survival of these places as Singa- preserve our history, heritage, and the pore’s rapid urban transformation unfolded generational stories of our island-city. from independence to present day is no accident. It is instead the result of deliberate, South China Morning Post conscious planning and foresight reflecting the integrated planning approach that has However, the pressures of urban characterised Singapore’s urban develop- renewal and the rapid industrial and ment.“ — Urban Systems Studies - Past, economic advancements in land-scarce Present, Future: Preserving the Nation’s Singapore also pose harsh realities and Built Heritage, Page 1. limitations to our conservation efforts. The pressures from both ends of the spectrum A recent example was the upheaval have sparked intense debates - forcing the of the Bukit Brown Cemetery, where Singa- city to choose between progress in the form pore digs up graves to build new motorways of urban renewal and development, and where the early Chinese immigrants rest. conservation of built heritage to preserve The project has called to exhume about 4,000 graves in the defunct Bukit Brown cemetery for an eight-lane highway. “All things Bukit Brown”, a group who aims to record the heritage, habitat and history of Bukit Brown and its surrounding area, and the history of Singapore between 1833 and 1973, was established to learn and to pass on the knowledge and welcome everyone to the journey of discovery of Bukit Brown. Champions of the project, Darren Koh and Claire Low, quotes respectively: “This is a living museum ... we were galvanised into action to save Bukit Brown”, “We shouldn’t always have to choose between heritage and development.” 11

Theme 1— Old and New The Role of Built Heritage of Cities Demolishing Harujuku Train Station The standard practice of demolishing their history and original features, while new buildings in Tokyo has a stark difference to builds are often show homes designed for that when compared to the reconstructing mass appeal. In Japan, the reverse couldn’t of urbanscapes in Singapore. In Japan Tokyo, be more true. With buildings routinely buildings from the Meiji era (1868-1912) up ruined by earthquakes, tsunamis and fires, until pre-war are slowly disappearing not the concept of a permanent structure was because of earthquakes or poor construc- not considered feasible, and thus the focus tion, but because of owners selling off their on development as a positive has been properties to developers. High land prices encouraged. While beauty and tradition in central Tokyo, coupled with high mainte- are celebrated and preserved, the focus nance costs for old properties, has made it is placed on cultural practice and location, very difficult to convince owners of the value rather than the buildings themselves. in preserving their old building. Some good examples of Japanese In addition, historic buildings are urbanscapes that have been cleared for demolished because they are made of wood safety reasons are the Harajuku train Station, and not earthquake-proof. In essence, build- and the Hongokan wooden lodging house. ings are thus demolished for safety reasons. Following three years of consultation with In comparison, in the Western housing local retail associations and the Shibuya market, centuries-old houses are valued for Ward, the East Japan Railway Company has decided to demolish Harajuku Station following the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. Originally built in 1924, the European building currently serves as Tokyo’s oldest wooden station and a historic landmark of the popular neighbourhood. Nearly a century old and not sufficiently fire-resistant, JR East noted, “there were people who voiced opinions over wanting to preserve its long history, but for safety reasons, the decision was made to demol- ish the building. For Hongokan, the 3-storey wooden lodging house has approximately 70 rooms and a total floorspace of 1500 square meters, which is very large in scale for a wooden structure. 1 2 Jeff Greenberg / Universal Images Group / Getty Images

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Theme 1— Old and New Trigger Questions The Role of Built Heritage of Cities A: If stories of cities are told through buildings and landmarks, how do cities decide which stories to propagate, and which stories to bury? B: Who should have the final say in the city - policymakers, urban planners or the people? C: How can communities get involved to push for buildings and sites to be remembered? D: How do you balance out the trade-offs of conservation and urban renewal in a sustainable manner? E: Who are the winners and losers? REFERENCES 3. Li, Nicolaus. “Harajuku 5. Jan Strusiewicz, Ezary. “Cat 7. “Conservation Principles.” 1. “Tokyo’s Disappearing Station Set to Be Demolished Street From Then to Meow: Urban Redevelopment Authority, Architecture.” JAPAN PROPERTY Following the Tokyo Olympics Cezary Strusiewicz: Metropolis 2020, www.ura.gov.sg/Corpo- CENTRAL, 8 Jan. 2014, japan- & Paralympics.” HYPEBEAST, Magazine.” Metropolis Japan, 22 rate/Guidelines/Conservation/ propertycentral.com/2011/10/ HYPEBEAST, 21 Nov. 2019, Feb. 2018, metropolisjapan.com/ Conservation-Principles. tokyos-disappearing-architec- hypebeast.com/2019/11/hara- scratching-the-surface-a-history- ture/. juku-station-demolished-after-to- of-cat-street/. 8. “Running out of Space, kyo-olympics-paralympics. Singapore Digs up Graves to 2. Crossley-Baxter, Lily. “Out 6. “Historic Lodging House Build Motorways.” South China with the Old, in with the New: 4. “Travel News - Historical ‘Hongokan’ to be Demolished In Morning Post, 3 Jan. 2019, Why Older Buildings Are Harajuku Station Building to Be August.” Japan Property Central , www.scmp.com/news/asia/ Unpopular in Japan.” REthink Demolished.” Japan Reference, 2011, japanpropertycentral. southeast-asia/article/2180501/ Tokyo - Real Estate Information 2019, jref.com/threads/ com/2011/07/historic-lodging- singapore-digs-graves-build- for Buyers and Investors, 6 historical-harajuku-station-build- house-hongokan-to-be-demol- new-motorways-including-bukit. Mar. 2018, www.rethinktokyo. ing-to-be-demolished.85502/. ished-in-august/. com/2018/03/07/why-old- 9. “Conserve Built Heritage.” er-buildings-are-unpopular-ja- Urban Redevelopment pan/1519929705. Authority, 2020, www.ura.gov. sg/Corporate/Get-Involved/ 14 Conserve-Built-Heritage.

Theme 2— Public and Private Public Spaces and Blurred Boundaries HOW DOES PROXIMITY AND DESIGN OF OUR SPACES AFFECT OUR SOCIAL FABRIC? 15

Theme 2— Public and Private Public Spaces and Blurred Boundaries Modern cities exist in an ever changing environment that encourages the coming and going and the interactions among diversifying lifestyles. The perceptions of the public and private, and of personal and social interactions, are constantly evolving. Public spaces can be conceived as an overlapping domain between a place of freedom and restriction, resulting in a blurred distinction between what is considered private or public. It then becomes important to understand the inter- actions that take place in these in-between spaces, or third spaces, such as linkways, corridors and void decks, where people cross paths on their daily routines. Corridors of Diversity EXCERPT FROM Corridors of Diversity by Kevin Siyuan Ma. Each image focuses on a different aspect of diversity, split into two halves in composition, showcasing both the urban features surrounding the HDBs as well as a personal glimpse into the everyday lives of individuals inhabiting the flat. Public corri- dors depict the relationship of communal and public life in the buildings, blurring the space between personal and collective space. Constricted by the spaces we live in, these corridors become an extension of the inhabitant’s personality and lives. Kevin Siyuan Ma, Corridors of Diversity, 2019. Kevin Siyuan Ma 16

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Theme 2— Public and Private Public Spaces and Blurred Boundaries Darren Soh, Building Blocks, 2007. Compact Building Blocks Darren Soh EXCERPT FROM Building Blocks by 18 Darren Soh. Our country’s public housing may have been very homogeneous in the past, like the seemingly monotonous common corridors of Block 83, Commonwealth Close. But look closely at how inhabitants have appropriated and transformed much of their often limited space, and it becomes clear how we should never underestimate the individual’s ability to continually overcome the constraints set by the environment, be it a pigeonhole or otherwise.

Density and Intimacy in Tokyo’s Public Space EXCERPT FROM Density and Intimacy In the case study of Jimbocho, it has a in Public Space: a Case Study of Jimbocho- peculiar type of “urban fabric” where almost Journal of Urban Design and Mental Health. every bookshop creates an outer extension and transforms the streets into a permanent The personal sphere, if projected to marketplace. This outer extension creates the present day metropolis, needs appro- a one-of-a-kind overturning because read- priate spatial conditions that allow inti- ers have an intimate feeling right in the macy and density to co-exist. Density and middle of a traffic-congested arterial road. Intimacy in Tokyo Public Space identifies The described uncanny environment has the Jimbocho neighbourhood of Tokyo developed behaviours, movements, tradi- as a pragmatic case study through which tions and rituality typical of this area, where its urban design becomes a conjunctive one can openly see the leisure time of component between body and city, individ- Jimbocho’s visitors. uality and commonality. “The subjective, inward/outward, erratic and volatile movements mark a clear break in the area where this book town is located.” The subjective, inward/outward, erratic and volatile movements mark a clear break in the area where this book town is located. Within this framework, this paper highlights how Jimbocho has been devel- oped around the intimacy of reading and seeks to underline the urban elements favouring its particular status and behaviour. The lodge with its tiny dimensions and the presence of movable elements and oddi- ties multiplies the possibilities of interaction between the city itself and its inhabitants beyond what would have happened with a dull surface clearly defined in its edges. Journal of Urban Design and Mental Health 2017 19

Theme 2— Public and Private Trigger Questions Public Spaces and Blurred Boundaries A: How do we as inhabitants, make these shared public spaces, a space of our own? B: In what ways do we discern between the boundaries of private and public spaces? C: How does proximity and structure affect the way we interact? D: What stories can be told of these in-between spaces? E: How do contested spaces affect the day-to-day actions of the people? REFERENCES pores-public-housing-success. Study of Jimbocho - Journal 1. Zilliacus, Ariana. “‘Corridors Soh, Darren. “Darren Soh.” of Urban Design and Mental of Diversity’: Showcasing the Health.” The Centre for Urban Secret of Singapore’s Public 2. Darren Soh: Photographer Design and Mental Health, The Housing Success.” ArchDaily, Singapore and Asia, Jan. 2007, Centre for Urban Design and ArchDaily, 15 Mar. 2017, www.darrensoh.com/. Mental Health, www.urbande- www.archdaily.com/866987/ signmentalhealth.com/journal-3- corridors-of-diversity-show- 3. Covatta, Alice. “Density and --jimbocho.html. casing-the-secret-of-singa- Intimacy in Public Space: a Case 20

Theme 3— Internal and External Design Mindset and Authorship HOW DO WE SEE OURSELVES AND HOW DO OTHERS SEE US? 21

Theme 3— Internal and External Design Mindset and Authorship In studying the cities nature and origins of cultural influence and appropriation, we are able to discern the roots of the contemporary arts and culture scenes of different cities. From contemporary creative outlets, aesthetic sensibilities point us to the influence of globalisation that has inspired existing art and design today. To actively make sense of a city’s own identity by active comparison to the world also allows for a building-up of their own ethos. By examining the internal and external mindsets of these two cities, we look at how iden- tities are claimed by individuals residing within the nation, as well as external viewpoints made by bystanders who carry the external lens of the well-informed. Attempts of Design Authorship in Singapore EXCERPT FROM Looking at The Design of distinct cultures and their relationship to Society Journal: Attempts of Design Author- design; state of design in Singapore and its ship in Graphic Design from Singapore, relationship to post-colonial studies; and 2009 – 2013. how globalisation affects contemporary design practice in Singapore. Along with Singapore’s short history, its culture mostly brought over by or appro- To take a broader perspective, this priated from early immigrants from neigh- case study echoes a common phenomenon bouring Southeast Asian countries, there of how ideas that originated from the west is not much of a distinct (cultural) identity have been rapidly influencing or developing for design historical studies. Instead, these in Asia, but occurring within an intellectual limitations allow for some other possibili- or cultural void. A sympathetic view on this ties: the merging, or parallel development will aid in studying other contemporary design practices in Singapore, of which many were (or will be) influenced by ideas from the west. As how TDSJ differs signif- icantly from the earlier designer-authored magazines, other design artefacts or prac- tices that were results of transnational influ- ences in design authorship will also have their own historical narratives. This eventu- ally works to expand our understanding of the subject beyond Euro-America. 2 2 The Design Society

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Theme 3— Internal and External Design Mindset and Authorship TRANS-Cool Tokyo The exhibition Trans-Cool TOKYO, jointly organised by the Singapore Art Museum and the Museum of Contempo- rary Art Tokyo, showcased works from the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo collec- tion. A manifestation of the creative identi- ties of Japanese artists with a Singaporean perspective, Trans-Cool TOKYO ran from November 2010 to February 2011. Yoshitomo Nara, Sayon, 2006. Acrylic on Kiichiro Adachi, e.e.no.24, Kohei Nawa, Pixcell-Deer #17, 2008-9. canvas. 146 x 112.5 cm. Museum of Contem- 2004/8. Mixed media (telephone Mixed media (stuffed deer & glass beads). porary Art Tokyo Collection. box, music & video). 257 x 98 x 97 200 x 170 x 150 cm. Museum of Contempo- cm. Museum of Contemporary rary Art Tokyo Collection. Art Tokyo Collection. EXCERPT FROM Design and Society in Modern Japan: An Introduction. Yasumasa Morimura, Criticism and the Lover A, B, C, 1990. Transparent New Japanese Art medium on colour photograph. 190 x 225 cm (set of three). What will be the future direction of Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo Collection. Japanese contemporary art? If the works shown in this exhibition provide any clue, aesthetics and sensibilities still rooted in local culture, yet informed by globalism, will inspire new Japanese contemporary art. This art will remain deeply connected to the individual in society, and will be part of the ongoing search to understand the relationship between oneself and the world. 24

Tokyo Translated: Observations of a Singaporean Designer studying in Japan EXCERPT FROM Tokyo Translated: Obser- These are not franchisees but are vations of a Singaporean Designer Studying owned by humble folks in places with no in Japan, DesignSingapore. tourists. A family restaurant of an old couple selling Japanese set meals would have A striking difference is that they beautiful vintage interiors and music from would take design to a more local level. In the sixties. Their attention to detail was most neighbourhoods where you least expect it, apparent when I noticed their own logos you will find nurseries, bookstores, restau- printed on their serviettes and chopstick rants, aquarium shops and even mamak sleeves. shops (Singlish for “sundry” stores, also known as zakka stores or 雑貨屋 in Japan) bearing proper brand identity designs. Unsplash Viewing the World from the Tip of Asia EXCERPT FROM Viewing the World from thing as the center of the world. This is why the Tip of Asia, Designing Design. Tokyoites don’t try to figure everything out based on their own sense of value, but try Tokyo is a city full of curiosity. Tokyo instead to understand other countries’s is more passionate than any other city in the culture by reflecting on them within their world when it comes to collecting informa- own contexts. I think the reason for their tion and exercises its industrious intellect diligence is due in great part to the bitter to really understand what’s happening in circumstance of the modernization of Japan the world. It seems to me that behind this as a country.ety of consumption. The result- there is a consciousness at work that says ing visually complex diagrams provided that where we stand is not the center of the them a means of describing changing world, and furthermore, that there is no such expressions of modernity. 25

Theme 3— Internal and External Design Mindset and Authorship Kon Wajirō, A Comprehensive Illustration of a Newly-Married Couple’s Yoshida Kenkichi and Kon Wajirō, Uniforms of Waitresses at Cafes in Household, Room #2, Image 3, 1925. Kon Wajirō Archive. Courtesy of the Ginza (Ginza kafē jokyū-san no fukusō), from Women’s Graphic Kōgakuin University Library. All rights reserved. [Fujin gurafu] (November 1926). Kon Wajirō Archive. Courtesy of Kōgakuin University Library. All rights reserved. Design and Society in Modern Japan EXCERPT FROM Design and Society in enthusiasts who systematically collected Modern Japan: An Introduction.” Review of information on changing aspects of city Japanese Culture and Society. life. Keeping tabs on the shifting fashions of the passersby in the Ginza, the uniforms While the social and cultural effects worn by schoolboys on the street or those of industrialization in Japan were well of maids and waitresses at its many cafés, apparent by 1900, the Great Kantō Earth- meticulously analyzing and recording the quake of 1923 accelerated this process of contents of closets and wallets alike, these transformation. The earthquake destroyed surveyors created virtual snapshots of every- much of the early modern substrate on day life in the midst of the consolidation of which the city of Tokyo had been built. In the society of consumption. The resulting its wake, the city underwent substantive visually complex diagrams provided them reurbanization. Kon Wajirō, then a profes- a means of describing changing expressions sor of architecture at Waseda University, of modernity. and artist Yoshida Kenkichi led a group of 26

Trigger Questions A: How can designers bridge the gap between the general public and the creative industry for design discourse to stay unambiguous? B: In the study of the cities’ nature and origins of cultural influence and appropriation, what directions will art and design take within the pacific region? C: How will societal events influence artistic movements and encourage collaborations between artists and designers to push forth the state of art? D: How will we continue to observe and document the vernacular around in our city as a means to present them as a national narrative? E: How do you balance out the trade-offs of conservation and urban renewal in a sustainable manner? REFERENCES 2. Adriasola, Ignacio, et al. Designing Design, Lars Müller on Design History and Design 1. Teoh, Shannon. Tokyo Trans- “Design and Society in Modern Publishers, 2015. Studies, 2016, doi:10.5151/ lated: Observations of a Singapo- Japan: An Introduction.” Review despro-icdhs2016-01_008. rean Designer Studying in Japan, of Japanese Culture and Society, 4. Kong, Wen Da. “Looking at DesignSingapore, 4 Mar. 2020, vol. 28, no. 1, 2016, pp. 1–50., The Design Society Journal: 5. Chew, David. “The Future www.designsingapore.org/ doi:10.1353/roj.2016.0021. Attempts of Design Authorship in of Japanese Art Is Cool.” Www. stories/tokyo-translated.html. Graphic Design from Singapore, roots.sg, Oct. 2010, www.roots. 3. Hara, Kenya. Viewing the 2009 – 2013.” Proceedings of the sg/learn/stories/the-future-of- World from the Tip of Asia, 10th International Conference japanese-art-is-cool/story. 27

Theme 4— High and Low The Fidelity of a City HOW CAN THE VERNACULAR HIGHS AND LOWS OF OUR CITY AFFECT OUR CREATIVE PRACTICE? 28

Theme 4— High and Low The Fidelity of a City Mass Production EXCERPT FROM Mass Production by Darren Soh. A Work-in-progress Image vs the Grandeur of the City Focusing on buildings of enormous scale, showcasing the vision and grandeur of Singaporean architecture. The buildings he photographed come in two states — finished buildings and structures-in-con- struction. With structures in Singapore so easily replaceable with time to come. Threatened disappearance as Singapore re-develops and re-shuffles. Demolished and rebuilt to maximise the land on which they sit. These buildings question the role architecture plays in defining and construct- ing identity and how old and new should be balanced in a city of limited space. Disappearing architecture. Darren Soh Because these developments are so massively monumental, it is easy to forget the structures that previously stood in their places. 29

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Theme 4— High and Low The Fidelity of a City Bernice Wong, Chia Aik Beng, Darren Soh and Philipp Aldrup DOCUMENTING: Serangoon Road EXCERPT FROM New lens on Serangoon What did you learn from the project? Road by Justin Zhuang. Photographing it years back taught me framing seemingly disorderly scenes, The project was initiated by URA to making sense of confusion, bringing a capture and document the more intimate certain order to randomness. Reviewing and lesser known landmarks, spaces and the students’ photographs showed me life of one of Singapore’s oldest roads and the many other perspectives one can look to open up a deeper understanding and at the area and how they as beginners appreciation of the Serangoon Road area, approach the site in often similar ways as I associated with familiar names like Tekka did back then: sometimes distanced and shy, and since 1989 is also known as “Little India” helpless and insecure, sometimes coura- where the historic conservation district geous and straight forward, unbiased and is located. fully immersed. Bernice Wong, Chia Aik Beng, Darren Soh and Philipp Aldrup 31

Theme 4— High and Low The Fidelity of a City Toyo Ito 32

Signs of Light EXCERPT FROM Signs of Light by Toyo Ito. lambency, but rather than a vivid radiance like innumerable points of light reflected on Living in a city like Tokyo, just walk- water, it’s a wavering of almost colourless ing through underground passageways or points, like Claude Monet’s late work Water along the base of tall buildings, one has Lilies. To be. Sure, these scenes also contain almost no awareness of exterior light. When intensities and colours that differ according inside an office building, one is aware of to the season, even on very sunny days, the sunlight coming in the windows and of the sun is dull and rarely gives an impression of blue of the sky, but even those things do not clarity. In the soft back wrapped in gauze, linger in the mind at the day’s end. there is always a sense of anomie. Also But if one goes somewhat higher clearly distinct from the fleeting impression than ground-level sightlines, such as the found in the delicately depicted rural scenes rooftop of a six- or seven- storey building, in Japanese-style paintings, this sensation one invariably looks out at the silhouette is perhaps the characteristic expression of of a cluster of skyscrapers. Viewed from light in this city. the rear rooftop of the apartment building I look out over the overcrowded resi- in which I live, only a few kilometres away dential districts that extend everywhere, from Shinjuku, the setting sun hits the clus- in which the inhabitants brand the slogan ters of skyscrapers, each returning a dull “don’t steal our sun” and undoubtedly even reflected light, like a single sheet of metal or today continue their disputes over rights to glass, and the building shadows stretch over sunshine. Despite the opaque sunlight of the surrounding area for many hundreds of Tokyo, in the daily life of its people the sun metres, sometimes extending to more than is turned in a symbol and worshipped. Or a kilometre. perhaps, it is rather precisely because of the The cars running along the roads weakness of the rays of light that the sun is below also emit a low dull light, and the made spiritual and symbolic. sheet-steel roofs of the wooden houses that When making architecture in this city, engulf the lower parts of the buildings can even in the smallest of houses, I will sever a be seen gleaming here and there. Project- piece of the fabric of light being produced ing only their upper parts from between the by the city, and there enclose a field. For wooden houses, the glass surfaces of the me, the only possible action is then to turn small-to-medium-sized buildings, and the the severed, interwoven cross-sections billboards attached to their rooftops, emit into signs within this field. These signs are a slightly stronger reflected light. Even the absolutely not converted into symbols. The trees that may be glimpsed between the aspects of light shifting together with the buildings seem achromatic rather than passage of time are codified into various green, merely glittering and sparkling. tangible expressions. These are not incor- Though definitely not strong, most of this porated within the system of meanings that reflected light forms a vast fabric of soft light exist in daily life, but are intended to become comprising an array of shining points. a fresh collection of codes of light. People Though every part of this city has absorb this collection of codes as they walk, been coated with gaudy colours, all of these and perhaps when the absorbed codes are colours are absorbed by the sunlight and rewoven inside each person, the field will become an almost monochrome fabric. The begin to gain meaning through the medium infinite distribution of light conveys a certain of light. 33

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Theme 4— High and Low The Fidelity of a City The Duct-Tape Typographer EXCERPT FROM Tokyo subway’s humble is to guide rush hour commuters through duct-tape typographer by Chris Gaul. confusing and hazardous construction areas. When Sato san realised he needed Proper Temporary Signage more than his megaphone to perform this Tokyo’s cavernous train stations duty, he took it upon himself to make some seem to be permanent construction zones. temporary signage. With a few rolls of duct There is always some part or another tape and a craft knife, he has elevated the shrouded in white sheets and skirted by a humble worksite sign to an art form. maze of endlessly shifting temporary paths. Walk the bowels of these stations long Sato san’s purpose is simple: he enough and you may come across Shuetsu strives to make life better for the millions of Sato 佐藤修悦. Sixty-five year old Sato san commuters who negotiate station construc- wears a crisp canary yellow uniform, reflec- tion sites. His unassuming dedication to tive vest and polished white helmet. His job craft and service embodies the best side of the Japanese approach to work. Shuetsu Sato 35

Theme 4— High and Low Trigger Questions The Fidelity of a City A: How ‘polished’ is the immediate urban environment surrounding you? Where are the pockets of high or low fidelity? B: How are inhabitants of the city reacting to these fluctuations of highs and lows? C: In what ways can we capture and record the fidelity of a city? D: How does our city and culture mould our creative dedication to our craft? How ‘finished’ should our own practice be? REFERENCES 3. Ito, Toyo. “Signs of Light.” 4. Gaul, Chris. “Tokyo subway’s 1. Mass Production, Darren Real Review, Real Review humble duct-tape typographer.” Soh, 2014. 6, Spring 2018, REAL, 2018. Medium, 25 Jul, 2019, https:// pp.86–97. medium.com/@chrisgaul/tokyo- 2. Zhuang, Justin. “New lens subways-humble-duct-tape-ty- on Serangoon Road.” Skyline, pographer-a8c84bb6b99b. Issue 06, Urban Redevelopment Authority, 2017. pp. 37–41. 36

Theme 5— Busy and Quiet Quietness in the City QUIETNESS IN THE CITY 37

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Theme 5— Busy and Quiet Quietness in the City In the highly urbanised cities of Singapore and Tokyo, it becomes increasingly important for inhabitants to slow down and take stock; to balance tranquility and chaos. As such, we look towards nature and the fundamentals elements of our earth and humanity as a mild antidote to our city lives, by tracing the roots of nature in a contemporary concrete city and culture. Transforming from a Garden City to a City in a Garden EXCERPT FROM Buildings that blend with nature by Christopher DeWolf. You begin to notice them as soon as you arrive in Singapore: buildings over- whelmed by greenery, steel and glass seem- ingly reclaimed by the tropical landscape. Then, as you make your way through the city, you notice how many spaces are open to the air, despite the constant heat and humidity that makes every afternoon feel like the dog days of a Hong Kong summer. Singapore isn’t a city in a garden; it’s a city that is a garden. Patrick Bingham-Hall “We’re hardwired as a species to affiliate with nature...Even though we might be born and brought up in a dense urban environ- ment, we’re still naturally attuned to nature. We need to be very aware of that when we’re designing buildings.” 39

Theme 5— Busy and Quiet Quietness in the City Escaping Colour EXCERPT FROM Escaping Color by but in those days a person was considered Kenya Hara. cultured if he could appreciate with height- ened perception the delicate transition of The traditional colors of Japan orig- natural phenomena in a year divided into inated in the court culture of the Heian 24 solar terms or 72 pentads (five-day period (794-1185). It was during this period cycles). Shorthand for this transition was that there developed a culture in which the setsugetsuka (snow, moon, flowers). people carefully observed the transitions Words depicting nature’s changing hues in of nature, made these a pretext in the grass and trees sound dainty and weak, but colors of clothing, goods and furniture, as that very frailty is what allows the perfect well as in common expressions and greet- infiltration into the innermost recesses of ings. Today we refer to the four seasons, human sensibility. Poster “Horizon”, 2003. MUJI, Nothing Yet Everything MUJI EXCERPT FROM Nothing Yet Everything 40 by Kenya Hara. More than 100 years have passed since, in pursuit of Westernization and modernization, we turned a cold shoulder to traditional Japan housing. But we still have no specific form of living space that we can boast of to the rest of the world. What today’s Japan can do, having reached the point of no return vis-a-vis the past, is chal- lenge this ambiguous status quo by asking, “How should we live in the postmodern era?” Although we made a grievous error by interrupting the ecological cycle of nature, we have been concentrating our efforts to restore it: once-polluted rivers have survived and salmons have returned to spawn. It’s been a long time since we realized there was a girdle of contradictions around cities that can be described as beautiful. Japan is not greatly blessed with natural resources, and has practiced moderation and contrived technological methods to help sustain the environment. In this country, under these circumstances, what kind of lifestyle or living conditions should we aim for?

Death Poems for the Living Mouth of Tokyo Meiro Koizumi ORIGINAL FROM Death Poems for the now if you bring in movies or content ideas Living Mouth of Tokyo, an art installation by released within the past week. We’ll buy Meiro Koizumi intersecting personal inter- them for 1,600 yen each, and if they were views with six individuals over images and released in the past three months, we’ll urban sounds of the streets of Tokyo. buy them for at least 1,000 yen. We not only excel locally at purchasing, but we’re Hello, and welcome to BicqLo. Thank also great at trade-in serVices. Within One you for visiting us today. This is the latEst month, an Item purChased at our storE can hoTspot, where everyday is like a festival be traded in. Our winter recommendations buzzing with activity and fun. Uniqlo occu- are the popular meat and soba noodles— pies floors 1—3, and Bic Camera, located renewed and hot and spicy, with lots of meat, on the third basement floor through the and the healthy and nutritious deep-fried first floor and on floors 4—8, is now offer- chicken tempura soba. To care for your ing special bargains for freshmen starting body, Mambo, the super-cheap manga new lives away from hoMe. A two-piecE café, is comfortable and really fun! It’s the refrigerator-washing machine set is Number One Manga café, and the largest in priced at only 35,800 yen. A five-piece set Japan, with branches everywhere. Once you including a two-door refrigerator, washing start coming, you can’t stop! You can learn machine, vacuum cleaner, rice-cooker and about computers. You can have fun with microwave over is biting my lip and crying your bOyfriend or girlFriend, and once you endlessly. I would happily be hated if that start coming you can’t stop. Mambo is great were the intention. I would drown myself if and will cater to all your needs. Bicqlo has that were possible. To be Hated or to drown the best information in the Tokyo area; you mysElf. The sAdness of youR network will can easily find the type of room you’re look- expand through your contribution to the ing for within your budget. CasuallY drop in, local community. Now is the time for the even if yOu’re abit shy. OUr room advisoRs corporation to step forward and broadcast will donate money for poor children. Please tonight, every week for five minutes. So donate money for poor changes now but short! We’ll make it the world’s most intense with the same feelings. I simply love you. five minutes. We want childrens and adults, Even after many years, I know I’ll be able grandpas and grandmas to waTcH it, and I to live on with unchanged feelings like this, lovE being number one. The number one. and welcome to our store. Hello, please take I’m imagining something really scary right a look. The tablets with large screens are really popular, and the texts as well as the videos are easy to see. Hello, welcome to our store. In tHis infinitely widE world, somehow, you are to daily goods. We have many items in stock, so pleAse don’t miss this chance to get them. It’s a great bargain! We look forward to youR visiT. And I love you more than anything else, I love you. —Shinjuku, February 13, 2013 41

Theme 5— Busy and Quiet Trigger Questions Quietness in the City A: Urban system designs typically have a few core principles, such as density, navigation, utility, etc. — where does peace and quiet sit on the priority list? B: How does one’s ability to find peace and tranquility in a bustling city reflect the city’s priorities/maturity? C: Does looking for quietness start from within, or does it start from the environment around you? REFERENCES 2. Hara, Kenya. Designing 1. DeWolf, Christopher. “Build- Design, Lars Müller Publishers, ings that blend with nature.” 2015. South China Morning Post, 28 Dec 2016, https://www.scmp. 3. Koizumi, Meiro. Death Poem com/lifestyle/article/2057445/ for a City, 2013, Video installation, buildings-blend-nature-why- Foudazione Bevilacqua La Masa, singapore-has-them-abundance- Venice. and-hong-kong. 42

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