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Pet Architecture Guide Book Vol 2
Pet architecture is a term for the buildings that have been squeezed into left over urban spaces. Curious shapes and inventive solutions for drainage, windows and air conditioning abound. Most of all, it is the extraordinary miniature size of these shacks, store rooms, sushi bars and bike shops which makes this project so fresh. Lovingly researched by a team of very young Japanese architects, each ‘pet’ includes a humorous description, full page photograph, a map and 3d sketch.
176 pages, Paperback
First published August 31, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 26, 2021
Dies ist eines der hübschesten und interessantesten Architekturbücher, die ich kenne. Ich habe es jetzt zum ersten Mal gelesen, nachdem ich es vor fünfzehn Jahren durch Zufall in Paris gekauft habe, ohne damals so recht zu begreifen, worum es darin geht: um winzige Gebäude ("pet architecture"), die in Tokyo auf kleinsten Grundstücksresten und Straßenverschnitten entstanden sind. Ein Fahrradladen, der nur vierzig Zentimeter breit ist, winzige Wohnhäuser mit 50-cm-breiten Türen, Geschäfte, die kaum von den sie umgebenden Getränkeautomaten zu unterscheiden sind, viele Restaurants, wo die Gäste aufgereiht nebeneinander sitzen. Es gibt detaillierte Maßstabszeichnungen zu allen Fotos und liebevolle, witzige Texte, in denen die Autor*innen die Schönheit des Zufälligen, Schäbigen und Vergänglichen preisen. Es ist sicherlich Geschmacksache, aber ich habe selten so viel Lebensfreude aus einem Architekturbuch herausgelesen wie aus diesem. Was für mich dadurch funktioniert, dass hier nichts verniedlicht oder idealisiert wird, sondern es ist eher eine Würdigung des Zwangsläufigen und des sich Arrangierens, das erreicht mich.
Definitiv nicht geeignet für Leser*innen auf der Suche nach tiny house-Inspiration.
Definitiv nicht geeignet für Leser*innen auf der Suche nach tiny house-Inspiration.
February 19, 2008
Pet Architecture is a of catalog of interstitial architecture in Tokyo. It attempts to make a sort of typology out of the strange little opportunistic structures that work their way into the cracks and crevices of Tokyo's built environment.
From a sentimental standpoint this is a fun, strange and quirky little book. It is fun to see the axonometric drawings of these bizarre little coffee shops, noodle bars, scooter rental/repair shops, florists, even a lumber yard fit into a volume the size of a parking space.
Where it falls short is its lack of critical self-awareness. Why do we care about the interstitial? How are these structures, run by legitimate, official businesses different from squatter/street vendors in an economy like that of Mumbai, India? What is it about Tokyo, its ordinances and bureaucracy, that causes these little structures to flourish? How is Japanese urban culture, with its high tolerance to small if not sometimes non-existent personal space a catalyst?
Conclusion: This is a book written by those who love this specialized type of building, yet who are still themselves struggling with what makes it so special. It generates more ideas than its authors explicitly share; a presentation of data without any accompanying conclusion. It is a wonderful springboard for new directions of thought regarding urban density, zoning, and the like. Use it to spark discussions regarding urban issues.
From a sentimental standpoint this is a fun, strange and quirky little book. It is fun to see the axonometric drawings of these bizarre little coffee shops, noodle bars, scooter rental/repair shops, florists, even a lumber yard fit into a volume the size of a parking space.
Where it falls short is its lack of critical self-awareness. Why do we care about the interstitial? How are these structures, run by legitimate, official businesses different from squatter/street vendors in an economy like that of Mumbai, India? What is it about Tokyo, its ordinances and bureaucracy, that causes these little structures to flourish? How is Japanese urban culture, with its high tolerance to small if not sometimes non-existent personal space a catalyst?
Conclusion: This is a book written by those who love this specialized type of building, yet who are still themselves struggling with what makes it so special. It generates more ideas than its authors explicitly share; a presentation of data without any accompanying conclusion. It is a wonderful springboard for new directions of thought regarding urban density, zoning, and the like. Use it to spark discussions regarding urban issues.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews