Extended Streets

Extended street in Jingumae

I'd like to use the 'extended street' to denominate a phenomenon of connecting various indoor spaces directly to the street resulting in an extension which, although privately owned, is perceived as part of the public. This phenomenon appears on several scales with differing implementations throughout the city of Tokyo with concentrations around the popular and crowded areas of Shinjuku East, Shibuya, Shimokitasawa and Daikanyama. In some cases these extensions gather up next to each other in a way reminding of a tree-dimensional landscape, dominating over the original street.

Interestingly, the representations of this space idea seems to have emerged as creative responses to regulations for fire and building area in combination with building- and site preconditions such as shortage of space. There are also examples in ancient japanese architecture bearing resemblance with this pattern of movement. In a study on the occurring typologies I would like to investigate how these spaces can give a new view of the city and planning. Also, In the case of shimokitasawa these spaces are a dominating element of the citys existing atmosphere which is currently threatened by the provocative route 51 project. If you have any comments or ideas for related information please feel welcome to contact me!

Here are some more examples of the 'extended street'

The 'step house' has the street directly attached onto its facade (Shimokitazawa)

On the 'vending street' all destinations are availiable by the press of a button. (East Shinjuku)

A typical street extension used for display of content and to convey messages as well as providing access to the various shops contained by the building (Shimokitazawa)

A traditional japanese graveyard setting with a landscape of choices for moving (West Yokohama)

Parking and the earth's pull

Noone has missed that Tokyo is tight for space and so many cars and bicycles need to be parked. A considerable amount of people commute with train + bike and it can be really difficult to find a good place to park since it is usually forbidden on the streets anywhere close to a station. A shared trait seen in the many optimistic solutions to the problem seems to be a deep disrespect for gravity, something that applies for many other areas in Tokyo as well such as highways, lifted buildings and homes built on existing rooftops.

Strive for separation

In the typical Tokyo city-block discording buildings are packed close to each other carriyng few signs of adjustment to neighbouring houses in terms of size, style or program. Instead, a typical building is autonomous and creates a internal world separated from the whole. This idea is opposite to the common practice of the west where connecting and synergizing with the outside world is commonly considered as an unquestionable necessity and is a ruling school of thought.

One example of this difference in priority is that having a view to outside seems to be of little value and the windows instead serve mainly for the transmittance of light. Take a walk in any domestic area and you see most of the curtains are closed. In a similar manner: the main function of balconies is for drying clothes and not the ability to enjoy outdoors. Even when the opportunity is there, it does not seem to be appreciated. It seems to me that a main aim for living space here is to provide a private world which provide calm and control in the otherwise chaotic, noisy and demanding city.

This inward focus also presents an interesting architectural task where all qualities has to be contained and invented within the aquired space itself. It is up to internal connections, configurations, shapes and materials to provide beauty since we can no longer rely on the outside to provide with a view.