INSIGHTS

2022.04.25

R&D DISCUSSION Vol. 36

The "extra" required for architecture revealed through regional projects [Part 2]

Yasushi Takeuchi Professor, Tohoku Institute of Technology (-2021), President and CEO, Abisei Planning Co., Ltd. (2022-)

R&D DISCUSSION TOP

Top image: Sketch of a proposal for barrier-free access to a beach in a city in Shizuoka Prefecture (1998)

Q: Are there any cases where you feel that what is required of architecture has changed due to changes in social conditions?

A: There was a case where I was asked to make a proposal for the same area after 20 years [Slide 1-4]. In 1998, when I was still working at the company, local volunteers in a certain city in Shizuoka Prefecture were going to hold a local event, and I was asked personally to draw a sketch to convey the atmosphere of the event. So I sketched an image of the venue for the "Kids' Beach Triathlon," where children compete in a triathlon on the beach [Top left of page]. In addition, I was asked to draw an image of a barrier-free beach, so I proposed a beach in the city that would achieve both safety for swimming and barrier-free access. The image was of an expanded parking lot, a deck on the beach, and a lifesaving training camp and small shower booths scattered around [Top right of page]. I made the proposal while considering emergency waiting areas, but time passed without any concrete progress.

However, one day a few years ago, we received an inquiry from a group wanting to use those sketches again. Over the course of 20 years, local volunteers had established an incorporated association and continued to be active, focusing on ocean-related events. This time, they asked us to propose "the town's future image" centered on a new way of interacting with the ocean. As the theme was "town," we decided to propose the western beach, closest to the city center, in addition to the eastern beach proposed in 1998. We created materials while examining the changes in the town to date, the positioning of each beach, and the possibility of various ocean activities there.

The western beach is a small cove with a varied topography, and is loved by locals. As it is a calm beach, we are incorporating ideas such as not only making it barrier-free but also setting up diving and SUP schools, and even holding sea schools in cooperation with nearby educational and research facilities. In addition, for the eastern beach, which we previously sketched, we are proposing to gradually develop the area by zoning it, assuming universalization beyond barrier-free, coexistence with pets, and activities in cooperation with fishermen. In addition to these, we are proposing a building that can be used as an evacuation shelter in the event of a disaster, as well as a training camp for lifeguards as originally proposed, and even as a community base that local people can use on a daily basis.

This is an example of how social conditions and local circumstances have changed significantly over the past 20 years, and the city is now tackling different needs and local issues than they did back then.

[Slide 1-4] Case 3: Proposal for beach development and urban development in a certain city in Shizuoka Prefecture (1998, 2017-)

Q: What kind of changes have occurred that have caused the local needs to change so dramatically compared to 20 years ago?

A: As this area is famous for the beauty of its sea, the traditional economic structure was simple, with many visitors coming mainly in the summer for beach trips and other sightseeing, and the local residents providing services. In recent years, tourism has diversified, and year-round tourism is beginning to develop. Furthermore, due to work style reforms and the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are now living in two locations, one in Tokyo and another in big cities, for example through remote work or workcation, and a new form of residence, so to speak "semi-residency," is becoming established, where people enjoy the relaxed environment of the area and activities such as surfing and fishing throughout the year. As such a lifestyle is becoming more common, the local issue is how to accept diverse people and utilize them economically. This proposal presented a new way of life and how to accept them, starting from a new way of interacting with the sea.

The changes in the lives of residents are being felt in a real way in the town, and while it is of course necessary to develop an environment that responds to changes in the region and society, there is also a need to develop proposals that go beyond solving immediate issues and include long-term strategies such as SDGs. There is already a shared awareness among locals that the region should discover its potential by developing beach facilities that encourage use throughout the year, not just in the summer, and it can be said that the stage is now to map out specific proposals. As society is now in a position where it is required not only to develop the environment and invest in facilities, but also to operate them effectively and efficiently, careful regional management is also required.

Q: At Mitsubishi Jisho Design, many large-scale projects today are being called upon to tackle smart cities. Although the scale may be different, it seems that there are some overlapping issues that have been highlighted in these cases. Looking back, how do you feel about this?

A: Yes. This time, I summarized the trends in smart cities in Japan and overseas, and confirmed that the trends in 2017-2018 overlapped with the second case [Slide 5]. During that period, MaaS, which combines various transportation infrastructure with smartphones, AI, and other information and communication technologies, was put into practical use in Finland (Helsinki), urban BIM was introduced in the UK, and surface-level smart cities were realized in China (Hangzhou, Xiong'an New Area) and Canada (Toronto). At the same time, efforts that could be a solution to the issues discussed in the second case were being carried out overseas. Looking back, I wish I had gone a little deeper and deepened my research into these cases, and made proposals related to smart cities.

In addition, I have considered the three case studies I introduced in relation to the "Seven 'Changes' that will transform human activity" that Mitsubishi Jisho Design has set forth to realize smart cities [Slide 6]. Case study 1 (a town in Yamagata Prefecture) did not have many applicable needs, but case study 2 (a town in Iwate Prefecture) contains many issues related to smart cities. In case study 3 (a city in Shizuoka Prefecture), we can see that there are even more overlaps. We can see that the background to the proposed architecture gradually overlaps with the trend toward smart cities that is developing worldwide. At the same time, we can see that there are commonalities in the issues that need to be resolved, whether in a city or a region.

From this, when proposing architecture, it is extremely important to research how the proposal fits into the context of social change, and it can be said that in order to realize better architecture, it is necessary to effectively incorporate each element that emerges from research into the proposal. I believe that future architectural proposals will require an approach based on multifaceted research, such as exploring the relationship between architecture and the surrounding environment, gaining the understanding and consent of the people involved in the architecture, and taking into account the trends in IoT and technology.

[Photos and slides: provided by Yasushi Takeuchi]

Back to Part 1

PROFILE

Professor, Tohoku Institute of Technology

Yasushi Takeuchi

Yasushi Takeuchi

Born in Osaka Prefecture in 1967. After completing his master's degree in architecture at the Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University in 1994, he joined Mitsubishi Estate (now Mitsubishi Jisho Design). In 2009, he became an associate professor at the Department of Design and Information at Miyagi University, and in 2015, he became an associate professor at the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Tohoku Institute of Technology. He has been a professor since 2019. In 2020, he completed his doctoral degree in architecture at the Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University. His specialties are Architectural Design, architectural planning, architectural history, and urban history. His main research activities include "Research into the gradual nature of multi-layered urban culture in Southeast Asia as revealed by the arrangement of sacred shrines." He will be the president and representative director of Abisei Sogo Keikaku Co., Ltd. from April 2022.

OTHER DISCUSSIONS

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.56

Mind change――
Aiming for a company that will develop into the future [Part 2]

Hidehito Kawahara, President and CEO of ALFA PMC

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.55

Mind change――
Aiming for a company that will develop into the future [Part 2]

Hidehito Kawahara, President and CEO of ALFA PMC

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.54

Mind change――
Aiming to become a company that will develop into the future [Part 1]

Hidehito Kawahara, President and CEO of ALFA PMC

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.53

Next-generation transportation and future urban planning [Part 2]

Professor Akinori Morimoto, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University; President, City Planning Institute of Japan

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.52

Next-generation transportation and future urban planning [Part 2]

Professor Akinori Morimoto, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University; President, City Planning Institute of Japan

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.51

Next-generation transportation and future urban planning [Part 1]

Professor Akinori Morimoto, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University; President, City Planning Institute of Japan

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.50

The world is full of possibilities
--Perceive playfully and take action! [Part 2]

Nobuyuki Ueda Professor Emeritus of Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Director of Neo Museum

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.49

The world is full of possibilities
--Perceive playfully and take action! [Part 2]

Nobuyuki Ueda Professor Emeritus of Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Director of Neo Museum

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.48

The world is full of possibilities
--Perceive playfully and take action! [Part 1]

Nobuyuki Ueda Professor Emeritus of Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Director of Neo Museum

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.47

Light is Life: Humans on the Solar Earth [Part 2]

Hiroyasu Shouji ShojiLighting Designer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.46

Light is Life: Humans on the Solar Earth [Part 1]

Hiroyasu Shouji ShojiLighting Designer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol45

Building fire-resistant wooden buildings [Part 2]

Noboru Yasui, Architect and Chairman of NPO team Timberize

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.44

Building fire-resistant wooden buildings [Part 1]

Noboru Yasui, Architect and Chairman of NPO team Timberize

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.43

What is a sign? What is sign design?
What? [Part 2]

Toshiaki Yashima Information Designer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.42

What is a sign? What is sign design?
What? [Part 2]

Toshiaki Yashima Information Designer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.41

What is a sign? What is sign design?
What? [Part 1]

Toshiaki Yashima Information Designer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.40

Data-driven urban development that makes people happy [Part 2]

Taro Hitokoto Director of Neural Pocket Co., Ltd.

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.39

Data-driven urban development that makes people happy [Part 1]

Taro Hitokoto Director of Neural Pocket Co., Ltd.

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.38

Japan's Strategy for Achieving Carbon Neutrality by 2050 [Part 2]

Takuzo Saito Director of the Evaluation and Assessment Department, Housing and Construction Center, Better Living Foundation

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.37

Japan's strategy for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 [Part 1]

Takuzo Saito Director of the Evaluation and Assessment Department, Housing and Construction Center, Better Living Foundation

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.36

The "extra" required for architecture revealed through regional projects [Part 2]

Yasushi Takeuchi Professor, Tohoku Institute of Technology (-2021), President and CEO, Abisei Planning Co., Ltd. (2022-)

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.35

The "extra" required for architecture revealed through regional projects [Part 1]

Yasushi Takeuchi, Professor, Tohoku Institute of Technology (-2021), President and CEO, Abisei Planning Co., Ltd.

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.34

Before-Before Architecture Theory
Design techniques that unravel history [Part 2]

Toru Ajisaka, Professor, Kagoshima University

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.33

Before-Before Architecture Theory
Design techniques that unravel history [Part 1]

Toru Ajisaka, Professor, Kagoshima University

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.32

How to create a "water mass" that attracts adults
Turning aquariums into "media" through a customer-centric approach

Gen Nakamura Aquarium Producer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.31

How to create a "water mass" that attracts adults
Sunshine Aquarium "Oasis in the Sky" [Part 2]

Gen Nakamura Aquarium Producer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.30

How to create a "water mass" that attracts adults
Sunshine Aquarium "Oasis in the Sky" [Part 1]

Gen Nakamura Aquarium Producer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.29

Wellness and Performance Management
How to Live in a New Era Vol.2 [Part 2]

Takayuki Hirai
Deputy Director of the CHO Office at DeNA Co., Ltd.; Representative of Ibuki LLC

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.28

Wellness and Performance Management
How to Live in a New Era vol.2 [Part 1]

Takayuki Hirai
Deputy Director of the CHO Office at DeNA Co., Ltd.; Representative of Ibuki LLC

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.27

A work style that brings about innovation
How to Live in a New Era Vol.1 [Part 2]

Takahiro Sakamoto
Representative of SSIN LLC, Advisor of KOKUYO Co., Ltd.'s Work Style Reform Project

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.26

A work style that brings about innovation
How to Live in a New Era Vol.1 [Part 1]

Takahiro Sakamoto
Representative of SSIN LLC, Advisor of KOKUYO Co., Ltd.'s Work Style Reform Project

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.25

Looking at the future design process through "Renovation" [Part 2]

Masataka Baba Architect

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.24

Looking at the future design process through "Renovation" [Part 2]

Masataka Baba Architect

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.23

Looking at the future design process through "Renovation" [Part 1]

Masataka Baba Architect

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.22

Architecture in Film: Special Effects TV and Comedy Films of the 1960s [Part 2]

Tatsuo Iso IsoArchitectural Journalist

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.21

Architecture in Film: Special Effects TV and Comedy Films of the 1960s [Part 1]

Tatsuo Iso IsoArchitectural Journalist

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.20

Pioneering the future with the power of design
Discovering Young Artists [Part 2]

Toshiki Kiriyama Director

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.19

Pioneering the future with the power of design
Discovering Young Artists [Part 2]

Toshiki Kiriyama Director

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.18

Pioneering the future with the power of design
Discovering Young Artists [Part 1]

Toshiki Kiriyama Director

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.17

The present and future of theater space
Research on Plaza Spaces Vol.3 [Part 2]

Masaji Ito + Kenji Maruyama Theater Workshop Co., Ltd.

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.16

The present and future of theater space
Research on Plaza Spaces Vol.3 [Part 1]

Masaji Ito + Kenji Maruyama Theater Workshop Co., Ltd.

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.15

How to create public spaces with 100% occupancy rate
Research on Plaza Spaces Vol.2 [Part 2]

Yuko Yamashita Yamashita, Network creator, Hiroba-nist

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.14

How to create public spaces with 100% occupancy rate
Research on Plaza Spaces Vol.2 [Part 1]

Yuko Yamashita Yamashita, Network creator, Hiroba-nist

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.13

Designing "social fluctuations"
Research on Plaza Spaces Vol.1 [Part 2]

Shoji Okabe
Evangelist at Snow Peak Business Solutions Co., Ltd., and co-representative of the nonprofit organization "Hama no Toudai"

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.12

Designing "social fluctuations"
Research on Plaza Spaces Vol.1 [Part 1]

Shoji Okabe
Evangelist at Snow Peak Business Solutions Co., Ltd., and co-representative of the nonprofit organization "Hama no Toudai"

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.11

A workplace that fosters innovation
Changing the environment changes the way you work [Part 2]

Tetsuo Kobori Architect

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.10

A workplace that fosters innovation
If the environment changes, the way you work will change [Part 2]

Tetsuo Kobori Architect

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.09

A workplace that fosters innovation
Changing the environment changes the way you work [Part 1]

Tetsuo Kobori Architect

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.08

Environmentally friendly architecture and healthy spaces drive the economy
ESG Investment and Wellness Offices [Part 2]

Shinichi Tanabe Professor, Department of Architecture, School of Creative Science and Engineering, Waseda University

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.07

Environmentally friendly architecture and healthy spaces drive the economy
ESG Investment and Wellness Offices [Part 1]

Shinichi Tanabe Professor, Department of Architecture, School of Creative Science and Engineering, Waseda University

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.06

The centripetal force of a single sketch that depicts a scene from the future [Part 2]

Tetsuo Fukuda Industrial Designer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.05

The centripetal force of a single sketch that depicts a scene from the future [Part 1]

Tetsuo Fukuda Industrial Designer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.04

Thinking about future redevelopment from postwar "buildings" [Part 2]

Shunsuke Kurakata historian

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.03

Thinking about future redevelopment from postwar "buildings" [Part 1]

Shunsuke Kurakata historian

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.02

Architecture: Perspectives from Industrial Design [Part 2]

Kozo Yamada, Director and Advisor, GK Design Corporation

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.01

Architecture: Perspectives from Industrial Design [Part 1]

Kozo Yamada, Director and Advisor, GK Design Corporation
R&D TOP

Update : 2018.09.21

Tags

PAGE TOP