Spectres of Edo Castle: The Wall

壁 THE WALL

SPECTRES OF EDO CASTLE M.Arch I Max Ochel

In response to the Great Kantō Earthquake of 1923 that decimated the city through the rapid spread of fire, Tokyo adopted a defensive strategy of compartmentalisation in order to limit the spread of fire in the inevitable event of disaster. Large buildings, constructed of fire resistant materials line arterial roads of the city, dividing neighbourhoods, providing a barrier between areas of more flammable building types. This defensive strategy explicitly emulates that of Edo Castle, with the employment of city walls to provide protection for its inhabitants, the spectre of the castle is being reproduced throughout the city.

Through zonal land use policy and associated building height regulations, the government seeks the implementation of this strategy through market forces, however, the strategy is failing to be fulfilled in the areas of the city that need it most. Whilst economic pressure has caused a ‘hardening’ of commercial districts, residential areas on the periphery of the centre continue to be built with low rise, densely packed wooden housing, the typology deemed most vulnerable to damage through fire, earthquake and flooding. Thus, Tokyo’s modern day development can be seen to parallel the Castle’s inherent distribution of safety via wealth.

This project seeks the democratisation of safety within the city. Kyojima represents an archetype for the typical outer central Tokyo block, in which propositions for reducing the risks posed to the city whilst facilitating the continuation of the existing urban fabric can be explored. Drawing on principles of the Metabolists, propositions have been developed as both intervention and as the re-writing of formative codes, focusing on the two key elements of the castle; the ‘Walls,’ and the ‘Village.’

chapter I

RISK

Introduction Paradigms Spectres of Land Development Four Models of Fullness Plateaus, Layers and Horizons The Fortified Village

7 8 26 54 58 66

chapter II

GENEALOGY

Conditions Proposition Speculation

78 92 118

Manifestation General Arrangement Technical Resolution Demise

126 132 140 152

chapter III

THE WALL

chapter I

RISK

6

INTRODUCTION Japan is a country closely associated with urban disaster. Situated on the Pacific’s ‘ring of fire’, it is highly susceptable to volcanic activity and to seismic risks, both the devastation caused by earthquakes and aslo tsunami. The association between Japan and disaster is not only empirical, it also has a cultural dimension. On the one hand, Japanese culture has often provided a form of catharsis; its folklaw, religion, literature and cinema have often provided means to rationalise the occurrence of disasters. On the other, Japan has self-consciously developed what it refers to as a ‘culture of catastrophe’; catastrophic events are often used as focussing devices through which to develop and justify programmes of political and moral reform.

Many of these catastrophes have a specific resonance with the design of the built environment. Just as it is possible to recognise that, when we design an aeroplane, we also design an aeroplane crash, we could say that it is the design of our settlements and practises that brings us into contact with such potential disasters; the density of a settlement makes it a target for bombardment, its materiality makes it a source of ignition, its structural systems succumbs or resists seismic forces, or its environmental enclosure makes it a suitable place for a nerve-gas attack.

The city of Tokyo has a close relation to such risks; it has been destroyed three times over, by fire, earthquake and bombardment, and is today considered the most risky place in the world in terms of building insurance. In each instance it was predominantly fire which caused the greatest extent of destruction. The Great Fire of Meiriki was the first of three events which, over the course of Edo Tokyo’s history, saw the city completely razed by fire. The second was the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 and the third the Allied bombing of the Second World War.

7

THE GREAT FIRE OF MERIEKE 1657

THE GREAT KANTO EARTHQUAKE 1923

SECOND WORLD WAR FIRE BOMBINGS 1945

FIRE RISK 2015 14

FIRE STRATEGY 1923 onwards

The two principle legislative vehicles for Tokyo’s post earthquake reconstruction were the Imperial Capital Reconstruction Plan for Tokyo City (1923) and the Earthquake Reconstruction Land Readjustment Project (1927), both of which cited the risk of fire and the need to develop a fire resilient urban pattern as the key concern for the reconstruction of the city. However, neither suggested the widespread use of fire proof construction materials. Instead, they advocated a strategy of introducing ‘fire breaks’; rows of large fire resistant buildings, generally built from concrete, constructed along key roads, discecting the city. This was to be implemented through markt forces; commercial zoning and the less restrictive development policies associated with them used to stimulate development in these key areas.

16

FORTIFICATION Edo Castle

The castle is symbolic of protection and despite being destroyed multiple times throughout its history, its persistence embeds itself in the memory of the city.

18

FORTIFIED VILLAGE Sengoku super block

Tokyo’s planning policy is defining a defensive architecture of urban walls, compartmentalising the city as a means of damage limitation in the worst case scenario. The ‘Fortified Village’ can be seen as a contemporary interpretation of the castle.

19

COMMERCIAL ZONING

FIRE RISK LOW

BUILDING COLLAPSE RISK HIGH

Assessment of: building concentration

construction type building use

LOW

ACCESSIBILITY RISK HIGH

Assessment of: building age building structure

ground conditions

LOW

Assessment of: road width building density

population density

TOTAL RISK LOW

HIGH

An accumulation of all of the identified risks shows the areas of Tokyo that are most susceptable to damage from natural disasters.

20

HIGH

Kyojima

Areas of intense

CONCENTRATION OF RISKS Sumida-ku

Assessing the areas of Tokyo with the highest percieved risks led to the identification of Kyojima as a focal point for research.

Through a combination of geographical location and good fortune, Kyojima managed to survive several of the largest disasters in Tokyo’s history, giving it a higher percentage of older buildings and making it a high priority for disaster preventative developments.

22

Kyojima

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FEAR AS A CATALYST FOR DEVELOPMENT Tokyo contruction statistics

Through looking to better understand the unprecedented growth of Tokyo since the end of the Second World War, we looked to the construction figures for the inner 23 Wards. The rate of buildings actually lost through disaster are indiscernible in comparison to the amount of controlled demolition and construction, reflecting a pattern of cyclic construction prominent in Tokyo’s development.

The graph highlights the way in which major events have contributed towards Tokyo’s urban development, depicting the rapid transition towards higher densities and efforts to fortify against future risks.

24

25 2015

2010

2005

2000

1995

1990

1985

1980

1975

1970

15,000,000 1990 Economic Crash

2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami

1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake

1983 Sea of Japan Earthquake

1968 Tokachi Earthquake

1964 Tokyo Hosts Olympic Games

20,000,000

1965

1960

1955

Floor Area (m2)

10,000,000 constructed

5,000,000

removed

0 damaged by disasters

SPECTRES OF LAND DEVELOPMENT Kyojima

As Kyojima faces pressure to fortify against disaster, different forces push Kyojima’s development patterns towards a unique and varied situation. Whilst the attempts to regulate against unsafe development tries to steer Kyojima towards a heavily coded and regimented urban fabric, the pressure of capital gain for the developer (at any scale) seeks to maximise the land potential of a site. Meanwhile, the individual plot resists re-organisation and only succumbs to change if the tensions are too much.

26

FULL TO THE BRIM

BUILDING RETENTION

PLOT AGGLOMERATION + REORGANISATION

PLANNED ROAD WIDENING

EXISTING ROADS

Designated Incombustible Area

Quais-industrial

(fireproofing regulatory area)

Commercial

Quasi-industrial

Category II Residential

Neighbourhood Commercial

FIRE BREAKS

Specified Block

(standard height restrictions do not apply)

28m 22m

BUILDING HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS

17m

HIGH

RISK AREAS LOW

EXISTING

EXISTING Through a combination of circumstance and good fortune Kyojima managed to survive both the Great KantĹ? Earthquake (1923) and the firebombing of the Second World War (1945). Ironically, this is what now makes Kyojima so vulnerable to disasters. Containing a high proportion of older buildings and following an irregular street pattern, Kyojima consistently falls in the highest risk group for all associated dangers.

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29

TOTAL RISK An accumulation of all of the identified risks of fire, building collapse and the ease of access highlights the areas of Tokyo that are most susceptable to damage from natural disasters.

30

LOW

HIGH

31

LAND USE ZONES Land Use Zone FAR % BCR % Exclusively low-rise residential I,II

50 ~ 200

30 ~ 60

Mid/high-rise oriented residential I,II

100 ~ 500

30 ~ 60

Residential I,II

100 ~ 500

50 ~ 80

Quasi-residential

100 ~ 500

30 ~ 60

Neighbourhood commercial

100 ~ 500

60 ~ 80

Commercial

200 ~ 1,300

80

Quasi-industrial

100 ~ 500

50 ~ 80

Industrial

100 ~ 400

50 ~ 60

Exclusively Industrial

100 ~ 400

30 ~ 60

32

33

(fireproofing regulatory area)

Quais-industrial

Quasi-industrial

Commercial

Neighbourhood Commercial

Category II Residential

BUILDING HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS

28m 22m 17m

FULL TO THE BRIM SECTION scale 1:2000

34

Developed Block

Pet Architecture

Fire Wall

The Super Block

EXISTING SECTION

28m 22m 17m

35

Specified Block

17m

22m

28m

(standard height restrictions do not apply)

FIRE BREAKS In order to prevent the spread of fire to adjacent blocks approximately 45m of Fire resistant buildings should be included along principle roads which are identified in the framework of the Firebreak Belts designated in the Regional Disaster Prevention Plan.

36

37

Designated Incombustable Area

PLANNED ROAD WIDENING through enforced redevelopment

The residents of Kyojima as a whole have been resistant to road staightening initiatives of the past, meaning that the Government has abandoned plans to implement this en masse.

Instead an approach of incremental road widening has been adopted by means of the minimum setback regulation, with the orchestrated widening of key routes.

38

PLANNED ROAD WIDENING

minimum setback

BUILDING

39

4000

2000

through incremental policy

PLOT AGGLOMERATION + reorganisation

In order to make way for the widening of key roads and implementation of fire breaks, many old buildings will need to be demolished and plots reorganised. There is also an emerging pattern of developers buying up several adjoining plots in order to build larger apartment blocks.

40

41

BUILDING RETENTION Buildings of significant use, recent construction or those that are near or over the specified density for the area have been identified. These buildings will be retained in the future projection of Kyojima.

42

43

FULL TO THE BRIM This study is an exploration into the spatial conditions created through testing the upper extents of the various codes and regulations that are affecting the site. Through this ‘filling to the brim’, clear distinctions are defined between different land uses, amplifying the emerging patterns of development. Four common building typologies have been chosen for further study, each engaging with the city at a different scale.

44

45

REPLACEMENT OF SINGLE PLOTS

a block as existing

a plot becomes available

it is rebuilt to a higher density

a plot becomes available

it divides, producing a radical response

several plots become available

they are agglomerated together

DIVISION OF PLOTS (towards ‘pet’ architecture)

a block as existing

AGGLOMERATION OF PLOTS

a block as existing

DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS inner block

46

17m slant plane rule

22m slant plane rule

28m slant plane rule

ignores the rule

SLANT PLANE RULE common typologies

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POTENTIAL FOR FURTHER SUBDIVISION Kyojima

From an assessment of land prices in relation to inheritance tax thresholds, it is considered that Kyojima is reaching its optimum level of plot subdivion. However, there is some potential for further divison.

48

potential further plot subdivision privately owned buildings apartment blocks

49

KYOJIMA PROJECTION hypothetical trajectory

Following an accentuated interpretation of Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Urban Development Plan, a potential future of Kyojima is shown, incorporating medium and high density government prescribed housing typologies. Existing, high density buildings are highlighted.

50

51

(inner 23 wards) TOKYO average persons per household: average apartment size: average space per person: average building age: average rent per m2:

1.97 59.08m2 30m2 approx.

18.7 years ÂĽ3,314

SUMIDA area: population (2015): density (2015): average required floor area per km2:

13.75km2 249,465 18,143 persons per km2 557,520m2

KYOJIMA sample area: density (2015): required floor area per km2:

1km2 8,537 persons per km2 256,110m2

FULL TO THE BRIM provided floor area per km2:

2,386,916m2 (ability to support 9.3 x current population)

claustrophobia

52

the high rise

density

53

FOUR MODELS OF FULLNESS typologoies

This project seeks the democratisation of safety within the city.

Kyojima represents an archetype for the typical outer central Tokyo block, in which propositions for reducing the risks posed to the city whilst facilitating the continuation of the existing urban fabric can be explored. Drawing on principles of the Metabolists, propositions have been developed as both intervention and as the re-writing of formative codes, focusing on the two key elements of the castle; the ‘Walls,’ and the ‘Village.’

54

Hikifune Station Keisei Hikifune Station 2007

2009 2014

2013

Oshiage Station 2012 Tokyo Skytree 2012

THE TOWER BLOCK

FIRE WALL

The proximity of the Skytree has spurred on recent development of high rise apartment buildings, focused around the two train stations. Existing in designated zones of ‘intensified urban growth’ (TMG), free from the confines of generalised planning codes, these buildings represent a true expression of capital power.

Acting as both protector and oppressor, these structures divide areas of low rise housing into fortified villages. Serving as a guide for the relentless advance of the city’s development, structuring the hierarchy of the city and permanently altering the urban fabric, a continuing spectre of both fear and defence.

1:15000

1:7500

high rise buildings

fire resistant buildings

specified block future specified block

56

DEVELOPED BLOCK

PET ARCHITECTURE

This map shows the development of apartment blocks since 1997, including speculative future sites. These blocks capitalise on the subdivision and agglomeration of land, to maximise the usage of the site within the regulations of Kyojima. Highlighting the temporality of these structures and the cyclic nature of development creates tension between this typology and the rest of the city.

These spaces take the city beyond their maximum projection, filling and appropriating the last remaining spaces.

These pet spaces fill the voids of the other typologies, offering legible traces of the ideals of excess.

1:2000

1:1000

potential apartments

gap sites

recent apartments demolished buildings

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PLATEAUS, LAYERS AND HORIZONS

28m 22m 17m

THE FOURTH PLATEAU invaders of Kyojima

The Specified Block initiative has set up the conditions to allow super high density, mixed use buildings to take advantage of the maximum capital potential of Kyojima. Ignoring the rules that apply to the general building stock, their presence fosters a tension between the regulated zones and deregulated zones.

THE THIRD PLATEAU the commercial fire wall

The fire break regulations ask a relentless, vertical wall to bisect the urban fabric. With an increased building height limit and a focus on commercial potential, the fire walls break the experiential cohesion of Kyojima, in addition to the path of fire.

THE SECOND PLATEAU the endgame of inner Kyojima

The partly re-organised plots of Kyojima are asked to maximise the capital and floor area potential of their sites, and will contort and twist to the maximum ceiling of the area’s regulations to do so. Kyojima’s setback rule and maximum height often meet at the same point, resulting in an architecture whose form is also a diagram of its limitations.

THE FIRST PLATEAU the street

Save for some widening of streets, much of Kyojima’s transient space remains the same. The difference is the buildings that frame it; larger, more dense and unrelenting, the street level of Kyojima becomes a warzone of typologies. The high density apartment blocks are haunted by the spectre of deregulated land, as the super blocks do their best to assert their superiority over Kyojima.

60

61

VULNERABILITY TO FIRE Sumida-ku

The vulnerability to fire is directly related to the commonly shared feature of all the highest risk neighbourhoods of Tokyo; densely packed, low rise, wooden housing, known in Japanese as ‘mokuzō jūtaku misshū chiiki’.

66

LEGISLATED FIRE BARRIERS defensive strategy

The implementation of the fire breaks has been achieved to varying degrees across districts. The areas now at greatest risk of fire have the highest proportion of vulnerable building types and the least development of the fire break strategy.

68

KYOJIMA ISOLATION Proposition

Kyojima represents an archetype for a typical high risk neighbourhood with the city’s fire strategy having had limited impact. Kyojima presents the opportunity to explore the potentials of a fulfilled strategy and understand the conditions created through its completion.

70

FORTIFIED VILLAGE Wall / Village

The ‘Fortified Village’ can be seen as a contemporary interpretation of the castle. A progression from the historical purpose of defining boundaries of wealth and safety, the castle was an elite structure, this proposal sees a shift in values; the continuation of the normal now is the inherent value, rather than the exemplification of the elite. The wall is an extension of the Village yet the Village needs the Wall in order to continue to exist; the symbiosis between the two parts acting as a whole democratized structure.

72

CITY PROTECTED block destroyed

0

100m

BLOCK PROTECTED city destroyed

chapter II

GENEALOGY

EXISTING

Kyojima, Sumida-ku Through a combination of circumstance and good fortune Kyojima managed to survive both the Great KantĹ? Earthquake (1923) and the firebombing of the Second World War (1945). Ironically, this is what now makes Kyojima so vulnerable to disasters. Containing a high proportion of older buildings and following an irregular street pattern, Kyojima consistently falls in the highest risk group for all associated dangers.

78

79

REGULATION

zonal height restrictions The zonal height restrictions are one of the most basic yet most defining of the city’s regulations and are informed directly by the land use zones. Encouraging taller building along main roads and allowing commercial buildings with more generous FARs and BCRs acts as a catalyst for growth but also a means of fulfilling the city’s fire risk strategy.

80

81

SPECTRES OF EDO CASTLE traces of history

Tokyo’s planning policy is defining a defensive architecture of urban walls, compartmentalising the city as a means of damage limitation in the worst case scenario. The castle is symbolic of protection and despite being destroyed multiple times throughout its history, its persistence embeds itself in the memory of the city. The duality of its function and spectres are solidified and made permanent, while inverting the notion of a specific point of preservation.

82

83

IDEAL FORM

the shape of policy Through the modelling of Kyojima to the maximum permissible building envelopes defined by planning policy, the rules and regulations that are shaping the city are made explicit.

Zonal height restrictions define fire barriers, a setback rule implements the incremental widening of streets, and building regulations stipulate levels of fire resistance according to size and height of buildings.

84

85

SUB-DIVISON ‘Tokyo condition’

Emulation and exaggeration of the patterns identified in Tokyo creates a fragmented block made up of the smallest inhabitable plots. Detailed in research by Atelier Bow Wow this phenomenon is described as the ‘Tokyo Condition’ and relates directly to the financial insecurity faced by the cities residents, creating a cyclic system of debt and depreciation.

86

87

AGGLOMERATION land ownership patterns

Following the phenomenon of sub-division, agglomeration accounts for the pattern of wealth and accumulation of plots, often by commercial and corporate forces. This re-grouping of smaller plots reverses the cycle of decreasing size and lower values, effectively ‘pricing out’ residents and adding to the risk of the decreasing possibility of land-ownership, perpetuating wealth inequality.

88

89

FULL TO THE BRIM deviations of the real

While the fulfilment of policy to its fullest extents does produce building patterns of reduced vulnerability, a tension exists between this notion of the ‘ideal’ and the ‘real’. Inconsistencies occur in practice meaning that vulnerable building typologies are repeated, the increasing density exacerbates the risks while the defensive strategy put in place to mitigate against it fails to be realised in full.

90

91

DISPLACEMENT

intersection with existing The core structure provides the minimum infrastructure required in order to provide a fire barrier, whilst also implementing another city wide strategy of road widening. This development considers the existing buildings and accounts for the least destruction of these structures, while the inner side of the wall begins to fill out the ‘left over’ spaces from necessary demolition allowing for a responsive, site specific edifice.

92

93

CAPACITY

plot extrusion The proposal utilises the maximum footprint of the building according to what has already been demolished. The massing of all the existing plots that lay in the fire barrier zone, produce the maximum envelope that the building could occupy based on the vertical extension of the relevant plots.

94

95

CARTESIAN FIELD 1.2 x 1.2 grid

The Wall proposes a framework in which the necessary infrastructure of safety is provided, enabling autonomy in the occupation of the remaining spaces. A fixed generic structure provides a basic level of reference upon which a flexible response to local conditions is facilitated. Where existing buildings satisfy the requirements of the fire barrier, they will be retained. When they do become obsolete the alignment to the grid allows the proposed fire wall to be extended, thus closing the gaps and fulfilling the strategy.

96

97

WALL / GROUND 50% land coverage

The Wall is conceived as a continuation of the ground, the boundaries of Kyojima folded at 90 degrees, extending vertically and enclosing the block. Space is organised according to function and requirement. The exterior side of the wall associates with the subterranean, accounting for bodily absolutions, services, plant, safety, necessity. The inner side represents a radical contrast.

Spatial freedom to occupy as desired.

98

99

PERMANENCE primary structure

The Wall offers both symbolic and physical permanence; its ever visible inner core is a free standing concrete structure, designed primarily as a fire barrier, with the secondary function of supporting habitation and life? This permanent element provides an integral and necessary core to the proposed structure, the fundamental infrastructure on which the rest of the system depends.

100

101

TRANSIENCE

secondary structure The secondary structure supports the inner side of the wall and provides the responsive ‘living’ side to the structure. With an open system for development and flexible floor plans the inner wall contrast to the outer facing side, which provides a formal, rigid structure. The inner wall assumes a shorter life span and through its reliance on the primary permanent spine, it acts as a ‘sacrificial’ element that can be rebuilt and adapted following disaster.

Through its adaptability and relaxed system of circulation, the inner side focuses more on the social elements of the proposal, extending Kyojima’s existing fabric up the Wall.

102

103

THE WALL Proposed

A prerequisite of the fire strategy is the formalisation of boundaries. The boundary here is expressed in its purest form, the Wall. The Wall serves to separate but also to link; the arrangement of living spaces on both sides of the wall exaggerates the condition of division that the strategy incites, with the boundary as a constant point of reference and intersection of life within the city. The tension between the two sides of the Wall serves as a reminder of the Walls immediate purpose, a spectre of both fear and protection.

104

105

EGRESS

primary circulation One of the key elements of the fire safety strategy is to preserve escape routes from the city, so with the plan implemented in full these routes are provided the greatest level of protection. The two sides of the wall present different levels of safety and risk, dictating the function and layout of each side, especially with regards to circulation. The building reflects the city’s strategy for safe escape, with the primary fire escape is located on the street side of the wall.

106

107

UNITS

private space The units acts as a modular and adaptable system, designed to offer the basic spaces required for living; the organisation of the pods is dependant on use and capacity. These units offer private spaces that attach to the street side of the wall, which denotes them being safe spaces and creates a further differentiation between the two sides of wall, associating the area of necessity with that of functionality and safety.

108

109

INFILL

vertical ‘roji’ The inner side of the wall offers more flexible and organic space to the street side units; defined by open floor plans and with levels of semi-privacy, this further emphasises the contrast between the two sides. The transition through the core wall itself is identified by this juxtaposition in spaces, the concept of ‘need’ and ‘want’ are defined more independently yet connected directly by the wall itself. The circulation on the inner side of the wall emulates that of the ‘roji’ with its meandering path and proximity to living space.

110

111

SEISMIC STABILITY dampers

The building incorporates a range of functions to address the risk of earthquake; the wall is broken at key intervals in order to facilitate movement as well as oil dampers being placed inbetween sections of the secondary structure to reduce vibrations.

The limited use of glass on the street faรงade is also a protective feature to reduce the risk of injury of those escaping from broken glass falling from the building.

112

113

FIRE RESPONSE water tanks

The building offers a good vantage point for fighting fire in inner Kyojima, therefore water tanks are located on the roof of the building. As an extra safety feature all the services including the gas mains are located on the street or safe side of the building, this also allows for easier rebuild and reinhabitation following disaster.

114

115

FORTIFIED VILLAGE Wall / Village

The ‘Fortified Village’ can be seen as a contemporary interpretation of the castle. A progression from the historical purpose of defining boundaries of wealth and safety, the castle was an elite structure, this proposal sees a shift in values; the continuation of the normal now is the inherent value, rather than the exemplification of the elite. The wall is an extension of the Village yet the Village needs the Wall in order to continue to exist; the symbiosis between the two parts acting as a whole democratized structure.

116

117

SACRIFICE

Kyojima Enclave The concept of sacrifice is embedded in multiple layers of the project; not only in the physical sacrifice of structure, but in the resident’s preference for the continuation of current building patterns rather than scrap and build redevelopment, a sacrifice of the future in order to save the present. The proposal presents the alternative in which the residents assume the role of ‘voluntary prisoners of architecture’ (Koolhaas, 1972), a compromise of living within walls, in order to preserve preferred ways of life.

118

119

END GAME

the ‘Haussmannisation’ of Tokyo Just as Baron Haussmann’s renovation of Paris permanently altered the grain of the city, this proposal cements a prominent strategy that has defined Tokyo over the last century. The anticipation of destruction presents the opportunity for the reappropriation of space; the continuity of the strategy residing in the memory and traces of the city, whereby even if destroyed the walls would still define future redevelopment.

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LIFE AFTER END GAME ‘Green Archipelago’

Considering a post disaster scenario where Tokyo is destroyed; the interior of the blocks are burnt to the ground, but with the surrounding fire resistant buildings surviving the population will inevitably inhabit the walls. The mass devastation combined with Japan’s forecasted declining population would limit the desire to develop the interior spaces as all living could be accommodated within the walls. This permanent alteration of living and landscape would create a dramatically different city, with all future developments defined by the framework of firewalls; the void of the inner blocks creating a series of contained parks, a ‘green archipelago’ (Ungers, 1977).

122

123

chapter III

THE WALL

Capitalising on the relentless construction, the ‘Wall’ proposes an armature for development. A means to focus some of the city’s annual 10 million square metres of newly constructed floor space, providing the necessary infrastructure of safety whilst accommodating programmatic flexibility. The ambition for compartmentalising the city has been projected in to the compartmentalisation of the building. The division between two distinct conditions: exterior/interior, safety/risk, private/ shared, permanent/temporary. As the outer side of the building accommodates all of its inhabitants ‘needs’, the inner side is left to account for people’s ‘wants’. The Wall becomes a continuation of the ground, the informal network of streets reflected in the definition of space, a blurring of boundaries between inhabitation and circulation, private and shared.

126

0

20m

132

133

0

4m

INHABITATION

one building, two systems The ambition for compartmentalising the city has been projected in to the compartmentalisation of the building. The division between two distinct conditions: exterior/interior, safety/risk, private/ shared, permanent/temporary. As the outer side of the building accommodates all of its inhabitants ‘needs’, the inner side is left to account for people’s ‘wants’. The Wall becomes a continuation of the ground, the informal network of streets reflected in the definition of space, a blurring of boundaries between inhabitation and circulation, private and shared.

0

5m

138

0

2m

139

0

2m

140

0

1m

141

STRUCTURE

one building, two systems The building features two parallel structural systems with differing degrees of permanence and interdependence. The primary structure is a free standing steel reinforced concrete wall functioning primarily as a fire barrier. This permanent element provides an integral and necessary core to the proposed structure, the fundamental infrastructure on which the rest of the system depends. The secondary structure supports the inner side of the wall, cantilevered steel beams supported by the central wall providing open, flexible floor plates. Reliant on the primary permanent spine, this structure assumes a shorter life span and acts as a ‘sacrificial’ element that can be rebuilt and adapted following disaster.

142

CONSTRUCTION

‘Open Building’ methodology Designed according to ‘Open Building’ principles the different elements of the building have differing life spans and levels of serviceability. The units act as a modular and adaptable system designed to offer the basic spaces required for living; sleeping, bathing, excretion. The organisation of the units is dependent on the building’s use and capacity. These units offer private spaces that attach to the street side of the wall, which denotes them being safe spaces and creates a further differentiation between the two sides of wall, associating the areas of necessity with that of functionality and safety. Prefabrication of these units allows for increased control and reduced risks during the construction process.

144

RISK / USE

functional organisation Spaces relating to cooking, an activity associated with fire risk, have been allocated on the inner side of the wall, creating a hierarchy of safety within the building. This organisation provides a greater level of safety to the residents when they are at their most vulnerable, asleep. The building offers a good vantage point for fighting fire in inner Kyojima, therefore water tanks are located on the roof of the building. As an extra safety feature all the services including the gas mains are located on the street or safe side of the building, this also allows for easier rebuild and re-inhabitation following disaster. The limited use of glass on the street faรงade is also a protective feature to reduce the risk of injury of those escaping from broken glass falling from the building.

146

MAINTAINABILITY adaption and renewal

Drawing on principles of the Metabolists the modular construction of the building allows for incremental adaption and renewal. Broken down into small, lightweight, standardised elements, building components can be easily and safely replaced and reordered using an in situ crane, built on a track, fixed to the central concrete wall. The building also incorporates a range of functions to address the risk of earthquake; the wall is broken at key intervals in order to facilitate movement as well as oil dampers being placed in-between sections of the secondary structure to reduce vibrations.

148

RECONSTRUCTION post disaster redevelopment

The organisation of the building has been designed around the preservation and protection of the vast majority of the building elements in a worst case scenario, allowing for reduced time and cost in the redevelopment of the building following a large scale disaster. As well as creating an architecture of the technological mitigation of an urban risk, this project also seeks to dramatise that risk, drawing upon and magnifying its rhetorical potential. The extremity of the building, dictates living habits, bringing its residents into closer relation with acknowledging the risks of the city.

150

facing street

facing inner block

STRUCTURE

built at scale 1:100

152

COMPLETED

DESTROYED

153

Max Ochel