This theoretical project by Japanese architects Riken Yamamoto & Field Shop reconsidered how people can live in a Local Community.
Local Community Area Technical Information
- Architects: Riken Yamamoto & Field Shop
- Location: Japan
- Project Year: 2012
Today’s system of government is premised on self-help by the one house = one family unit. However, that social unit is becoming increasingly useless. Then what other ways of dwelling are there?
– Riken Yamamoto & Field Shop
Article from Riken Yamamoto & Field Shop
How People Live in a Local Community
Today’s system of government is premised on self-help by the one house = one family unit. However, that social unit is becoming increasingly useless. Then what other ways of dwelling are there? What sort of administrative system is possible?
Let us consider a unit composed of approximately 500 people. It could just as well be 400 or 700 people. The number will differ depending on the characteristics of the locality. This will be one ”local community area.” What ways of dwelling are possible for these people? What system of mutual aid can we develop?
First, housing.
Housing for sale is too burdensome for individuals. Such a form of housing is unable to adapt to major social changes. Housing will, therefore, be for rental. As much space as possible will be given over to common areas, and areas over which individuals have exclusive rights will be made small. Here, we call the housing from which the local community area is composed,” ie.” An ” ie” is made up of a ”mise” and a ”nema.”
This room organization is entirely different from that of the traditional LDK-type unit (Living- Dining- Kitchen). The “mise” is glazed on the outside. The “nema” is a highly private place. People are free to rent space any way they want. For example, they can rent a large “mise” portion and use it literally as a shop. It can also be used as an office or an atelier. Or it can be a porch-like space where an older person can take a nap or a child can play.
People can also rent a large “nema” portion and create an “ie” that is like a highly private traditional house. Toilets, showers, and mini-kitchens will be shared. Toilets and showers will be made as spacious as possible and provided in sufficient numbers. Even so, this arrangement will be far more efficient than providing such facilities for each one house = one family unit.
The relationship between areas over which individuals have exclusive rights and shared areas has been completely reconsidered. Relationships having to do with energy, transportation, care, nursing, welfare, and local economy on which one house = one family was premised have been all reconsidered. Those reconsidered relationships constitute a local community area.
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