Meiji Workshop - Urban Design + Architecture
Project Site: Asakusa - Skytree - Sumida River
Background: Sep 26th, 2016 was the first day of our joint workshop - USC + Meiji University. This was a 6 days intensive workshop and it ended 3 days ago on Oct. 1st. We were split into 6 groups of 6, 3 Meiji students and 3 USC students.
So, why is an idea so important, not just to an architecture project but everything else as well? I believe that idea is the driving force and an end goal in which it keeps us in one direction. An idea consists of many small concepts that act as the building blocks to the main structure. Therefore, I would like to introduce you to our idea for this project. The intent was to revitalize into a pleasant community and create accessibility for the neighborhoods around this canal. We had three concepts to achieve this idea.
- Series of pedestrian bridges, beginning at a new pier jutting over the Sumida river and culminating at the foot of the Skytree.
- Revitalization of the space under the Skytree line track. Comprised of extensive landscaping and the creation of a series of public gathering spaces such as galleries, an outdoor movie theater, and a farmers market as well as the redevelopment of the Sumida park.
- Renovation of building clusters on the southern side of the river, to create artist collectives, comprised of studio space, small business shops and live-work lofts. (Project description was written by Nicole Blue).
With all the concepts in place and great teamwork/collaboration within our team, we were able to complete the project successfully in a sense that we felt good about our work. Of course, it is not perfect and it could definitely be developed into something much stronger. However, it was the process and the teamwork that made it so successful and an amazing experience to be a part of the workshop. Many ideas, knowledge, and techniques were exchanged; It was a collaboration that I never had before.
As any team project would be, there is always a challenge/questioning of the intent as well as a drift from the original idea. It is perfectly normal when this happens, and it happens a lot in studio as well as in the professional world. The process of achieving that idea drifts into a different direction, which could make it stronger or weaker. what I am arguing here is not so much about the change in the idea, and I am not arguing that it has to stay concrete and firm. But, when it drifts into a direction that makes the project weaker, we need to take a step back and re-evaluate the development. Whether or not we don't have the time required to evaluate the design development that was made, we definitely should not settle for a less successful development. As my professor Yo Hakomori mentioned in the closing comment of the workshop, "We always need to have an idea as it is the driving force and unifying component of our smaller concepts..." (paraphrased). To sum this all up, all I really want to say is DO NOT give up on the IDEA so quickly because of some obstacles or running out of time. Just take a step back, re-evaluate it, and don't be afraid to make that change if you know it will make the project stronger.
I hope that you would enjoy my blog as my goal for this writing/documentation is to give prospective architecture students or anyone at all who would be interested in the process of design and architecture education. Before and while I was going through architecture school, I honestly wished that there was someone out there that could give me a little insight and experience to the process of architectural education. Again, thank you very much if you have read it this far, haha.
BTW, you can look at our process sketches and final product by clicking on the title "IDEA".
Again, thanks.