Andrea Bocco (JSPS fellow ID : S15150) Report of Research activity · 2018. 12. 10. · extraordinary insight opportunities. This travel programme took me virtually all over Japan

Andrea Bocco (JSPS fellow ID : S15150) ‘‘‘‘Technics and ResilienceTechnics and ResilienceTechnics and ResilienceTechnics and Resilience: cross: cross: cross: cross----cultural perspectives Europe/Japancultural perspectives Europe/Japancultural perspectives Europe/Japancultural perspectives Europe/Japan’’’’ Report of Research activity 0. 0. 0. 0. IntroductionIntroductionIntroductionIntroduction The research activity was based at the Hokkaido University (HU) with the cooperation of my host, prof. Takao Ozasa, whose help in organisational as well as in content issues was invaluable. At the HU I was offered one room for my use and could take advantage of shared facilities at the Faculty of Engineering. Also, he – together with prof. Hisashi Komatsu of the University of Nagoya, Kosei Shirotani of the Karimizu-an (Obama city, pref. of Nagasaki), and Yosuke Taki (an independent Japanese author based in Rome) – arranged for me, beforehand, a dense and detailed programme consisting of visits, meetings, and lectures, which would cover my research topics and furnish me with extraordinary insight opportunities. This travel programme took me virtually all over Japan spanning from Hokkaido to Kyushu, and covered the largest part of my 41-days stay. As expressed in my application, my research plan was focussed on two subjects:

1. low tech architecture; 2. local development.

1. Low1. Low1. Low1. Low----tech architecturetech architecturetech architecturetech architecture Regarding this point, my intention was to build a number of occasions of information exchange on contemporary and traditional “low-tech” architecture. (Such an architecture is the product of a “man-centered, relatively weak, but ingenuous and durable” technology [Mumford]. Appropriate technology is “generally recognized as (...) small scale, labour intensive, energy efficient, environmentally sound, locally controlled, and people centred” [Wikipedia]).

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I therefore delivered three three three three conferencesconferencesconferencesconferences based on my book Flessibile come di pietra that was published in 2015 in Japan under the title Ishizukuri no youni jūnan-na. Kita Itaria sanson chitai no kenchiku gijutsu to seikatsu no senryaku by Kajima Publishing Co., as translated by Yosuke Taki (Akarenga terrace, Sapporo, March 9 [1]; Kitokuras, Ayauta-cho, Kagawa pref., March 25; ITO [Initiative for Tomorrow’s Opportunities in architecture], Tokyo, April 3 [2]). During these conferences I discussed with very diverse audiences – including professionals (architects, planners), professors, public officers, and citizens – about the opportunities offered by the reuse of

traditional technologies and the refurbishment of vernacular buildings as resources in a sustainability-oriented approach to the built environment. The audience asked questions regarding, among other issues, how use local resources in building, and what role should be given to vernacular heritage. The following discussion clarified the importance of making use of traditional wisdom in managing the environment, when one works to develop places that can offer today a pleasant and attractive life. It was also my intention to study “low-tech” Japanese buildings, both contemporary and traditional. This is why I met, in chronological order: - professor Hirokazu TokiHirokazu TokiHirokazu TokiHirokazu Toki of the University of Shiga Prefecture [3], discussing about his cutting-edge employment of bamboo and timber in construction making use of extremely simple and refined joints. Among many other excellent projects, professor Toki transformed an abandoned bamboo forest in Bodaiji district (Konan city, Shiga pref.) into a leisure and meeting place for the local community (see below), showing how an abundant resource can be given full creative expression and become an occasion for local development. - professor Kikuma WatanabeKikuma WatanabeKikuma WatanabeKikuma Watanabe of the Kochi University of Technology [4], discussing his celebrated projects (most of which in international cooperation programs) making use of sand bags. The elementary school he built in Thailand is a successful case of employment of low-tech to create a comfortable building in a place where temperature excursions are extreme, and the climate is very humid. - Yuuki Yuuki Yuuki Yuuki and and and and Kuniji Kuniji Kuniji Kuniji KumagaiKumagaiKumagaiKumagai of Kitokuras (Ayauta-cho, Kagawa pref.) [5], a sawmill and cultural centre which promotes the use of local lumber in construction and of low-temperature drying; - Alex KerrAlex KerrAlex KerrAlex Kerr [6], whom I interviewed regarding his decades-long activity in reclaiming several traditional minka and reusing them as comfortable lodges; - professor Akiko OkabeAkiko OkabeAkiko OkabeAkiko Okabe of the University of Tokyo [7], who besides recovering informal settlements in Jakarta is working at the refurbishment of a traditional thatched-roof cottage in Tateyama (Chiba pref.); - and professor Taro MoriTaro MoriTaro MoriTaro Mori of the Hokkaido University, who illustrated his research on the thermal performances of traditional Ainu chise (huts). In two different occasions, I also met professors HHHHidenobu Jinnaiidenobu Jinnaiidenobu Jinnaiidenobu Jinnai of the Hosei University (Tokyo) and Riichi MiyakeRiichi MiyakeRiichi MiyakeRiichi Miyake of the Fuji Women’s University (Sapporo) [8], with whom I discussed about the methodology of my research, and Bernard Rudofsky’s legacy with particular reference to his Japanese and vernacular studies.

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Furthermore, I was so lucky to have the chance to meet Yoshikazu KawaguchiYoshikazu KawaguchiYoshikazu KawaguchiYoshikazu Kawaguchi, the renown natural farmer who created his Akame Natural Farming School in Makimuku, Sakurai city (Nara pref.) [9], and comprehensively discuss his approach and methods. During my research trip I performed detailed visitvisitvisitvisitssss of extremely interesting places such as - the Memu meadows (Taiki-cho, Hokkaido) [10]; - the Pirka Kotan Ainu cultural centre (Koganeyu, Sapporo); - the Torikabuto nature school (Omura city, Nagasaki pref.) [11]; - Onta village traditional pottery workshops and museum (Hita city, Fukuoka pref.) [12]; - the Chiiori cottage [13] and other traditional houses in Eastern Iya valley, some of which managed by the Chiiori trust (Higashi-Iya, Tokushima pref.). In the area of Ochiai, houses and small agricultural patches are scattered and intertwined (sato-michi). This kind of situation evidently shows why it is crucial that the entire ecosystem is preserved – that is, the sum total of spatial structure and livelihood, not only that old minka are conserved; - the bamboo artwork by Wang Wen-Chih in Nakayama valley (Shodoshima island, Kagawa pref.) built in the framework of the Setouchi Triennale [14]; - the Umaki camp (a community centre in Shodoshima by dot architects, built in the occasion of the 2013 Setouchi Triennale) [15]; - the traditional boathouses of Ine (Kyoto pref.) [16]; - and the Nihon minka-en open air museum (Masugata, Kawasaki city, Kanagawa pref.) [17]; - as well as an off-grid house in Asuke (Toyota city, Aichi pref.); - professor Toki’s bamboo park in Bodaiji district in Konan city (Shiga pref.) [18]; - and the Gonjiro, the cottage that professor Okabe is now recovering in Tateyama city. I also visited several Shinto shrines, traditional houses (e.g. in Nagoya, Makita, Obama, Taketa, Kyoto, etc.), terraced agricultural landscapes, and craftsmen workshops, all of them exhibiting some sort of ‘low-tech’ or traditional knowledge of materials and techniques.

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The meetings and visits provided me with extraordinary first-hand experience regarding the use of natural materials and know-how, challenging the conventional assumptions on which is the ‘optimal’ balance between labour-intensity, quality of artefacts, and resources employed. I am convinced that a radical re-discussion of such assumptions is needed in order to make our built environment more sustainable. This is one of the basic reasons why it is now more than a decade that I am researching on contemporary European buildings which make the largest possible use of natural materials and the least possible use of mechanical systems. I presented this work of mine to KajimaKajimaKajimaKajima Publishing Publishing Publishing Publishing Co. Co. Co. Co. (Tokyo, April 4), receiving a very promising reaction. This might lead to the publication of a new book, which might be enriched with some of the aforementioned Japanese examples I could explore thanks to this fellowship. 2. Local develop2. Local develop2. Local develop2. Local developmentmentmentment Regarding this point, ““““case del quartierecase del quartierecase del quartierecase del quartiere”””” (neighbourhood houses) have been proposed as a theme for lectures and joint research/design activity, as they constitute easily communicable and successful examples of a bottom-up approach to urban/rural regeneration. In fact, they constitute places where the communities’ energies can concentrate and create new opportunities – not only to provide for useful social services, but also to increase the their capacity of designing their own future, taking responsibility and promoting development actions. As Japanese society faces population reduction and ageing, some cities and towns are reorganising their public facilities: new, stimulating solutions are being envisaged and implemented so as to

renovate and find practical use for public buildings, such as schools for instance, that lay now redundant and empty. It is now years professors Takao OzasaTakao OzasaTakao OzasaTakao Ozasa of Hokkaido University and Hisashi Hisashi Hisashi Hisashi KomatsuKomatsuKomatsuKomatsu of Nagoya University are studying the Casa del quartiere in San Salvario, which I founded, and other “neighbourhood houses” in Torino, as good examples of renovation of existing buildings for new social use. I have personally provided much insight and arranged the inquiries of my Japanese colleagues in their research trips to Torino. Ozasa and Komatsu imagine that these cases might show an effective method to improve the quality of local facilities and furnish new social services in Japan.

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This is why I offered seven talksseven talksseven talksseven talks on the subject of urban/rural regeneration and local development policies through the establishment of neighbourhood centres run by NPOs upon agreement with local administrations in very diverse places all over Japan. In most such places, there are more or less developed projects to establish similar centres and the experience I transmitted seemed to be particularly in tune with the necessities or expectations of my audiences, professionals and laymen alike. I gave lectures: - on March 12 in NagonoNagonoNagonoNagono (a neighbourhood of Nagoya) [19], where the City of Nagoya is considering the opportunity to find new usages for a former school building, and where a few private-owned surviving traditional houses might be opened to public use. The example of Torino where, from the analysis of problems, we moved on to the establishment of a local development agency to solve these problems, and finally to the operation of a Casa del quartiere run by the local community itself was very helpful for the local audience, composed of selected people who are striving for the integrated development of this neighbourhood of Nagoya. And it was very relevant in helping them progress in their activity, as the Municipality reconfirmed their role; - on March 16 in KarimizuKarimizuKarimizuKarimizu [20], a neighbourhood of Obama (Nagasaki pref.) whose houses are being rehabilitated and partially transformed into artisans’ residences and workshops thanks to the initiative of Kosei Shirotani; - on March 20 in OmishimaOmishimaOmishimaOmishima (Imabari city, Ehime pref.) in the framework of the local development activities of Toyo Ito’s Initiative for Tomorrow Opportunities in architecture [21]. The audience, made mainly of local residents engaged in the revitalisation of their island, was very concerned with those practical issues one needs to face when working in real-life community design projects, much more similar to those I was presenting, since they are opening a community hub in a renovated former public facility (see below). In the regeneration of local community, sustainability is of paramount importance; - on March 26 at the MebicMebicMebicMebic in Osaka [22] (a group from the Mebic visited our ‘case del quartiere’ in Torino last December and found them utterly inspiring for their design work); - on April 9 at the Shibuya DaigakuShibuya DaigakuShibuya DaigakuShibuya Daigaku in Tokyo [23], whose director Yasuhiko Sakyo visited our Casa del quartiere di San Salvario in search of inspiration four years ago, and that will soon be assigned by Shibuya special ward a vacant building where to establish a community centre; - on April 12 at the Hokkaido UniversityHokkaido UniversityHokkaido UniversityHokkaido University in Sapporo [24], by invitation of professor Takao Ozasa who is deeply committed with local development initiatives in the town of Higashikawa (Hokkaido). Among other things, the discussion here showed how relevant is that professionals are personally committed in local community design processes, and that community centres are managed in an economically viable way, in partnership between citizens (NPOs) and local authorities. I also lectured on this subject to professor Takeo OzawaTakeo OzawaTakeo OzawaTakeo Ozawa’s students at the HU on April 13, and on March 28 I discussed in Shodoshima on the methodology of local development initiatives with Tomomi Tada and Yuma HaradaTomomi Tada and Yuma HaradaTomomi Tada and Yuma HaradaTomomi Tada and Yuma Harada and their invited artists – Tomomi and Yuma organise a creators-in-residence project and the re-opening of a public facility at Sakate port in the framework of the Setouchi Triennale.

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Moreover, during my research fellowship stay I had the chance to visitvisitvisitvisit a number of local development initiatives: - in Asahi disAsahi disAsahi disAsahi districttricttricttrict (formerly Asuke town, now merged into Toyota city, Aichi pref.) where a number of revitalisation activities are happening among which professor Masao TakanoMasao TakanoMasao TakanoMasao Takano’s effort to revitalise satoyama land management dynamics [25] and Mr. YukioYukioYukioYukio Ando Ando Ando Ando to attract new residents through unconventional initiatives [26]. These efforts tend towards establishing a certain degree of self-sufficiency, which obviously calls for an integration of architectural technology, building construction and sustainable community design; - at IIIIshigureshigureshigureshigure community elementary school community elementary school community elementary school community elementary school (Inabe city, pref. Mie), where the recent reconstruction of the building [27] has been the occasion of a new self-awareness by the community itself; - in MakitaMakitaMakitaMakita (Ogaki city, pref. Gifu), where a former post office might be converted into a community centre [28]; - in TaketaTaketaTaketaTaketa (Oita pref.), where the local administration is attracting new craftsmen and artist residents through facility creation and allotment policies [29]; - in OmishimaOmishimaOmishimaOmishima (Imabari city, Ehime pref.), where a number of local development initiatives are being held to revitalise this attractive island, among which those designed by Ito school of architecture include a community centre in Miyaura [30]; - in Eastern Eastern Eastern Eastern Iya ValleyIya ValleyIya ValleyIya Valley (Tokushima pref.) where tourist accommodation is creating the occasion of the refurbishment of traditional houses and of some economic revitalisation, in spite of extreme depopulation problems [31]; - in Shodoshima island, revitalisation initiatives are linked to contemporary art (see above) [32]. Also professor Okabe’s Gonjiro project I mentioned above is envisaged as a community centre for a rural village of Tateyama city. The response I obtained from the several institutions I met allows to think there will be future outcomes in the field of local development projects and community centres. These might include consultancy on local development initiatives; hosting study visits to Torino ‘case del quartiere’ of researchers and groups from Japanese institutions; and research projects on how to maintain the quality of life in shrinking cities. 3. Conclusion3. Conclusion3. Conclusion3. Conclusion Regarding the last point, I feel it is important to stress that the aim is not building or creating the physical facility of a ‘casa del quartiere’: the goal is to create opportunities for local community

revitalisation, and a ‘casa del quartiere’ can be an excellent tool to reach it. Increasing the degree of awareness and understanding of the complexity of local development processes in decision-makers and professionals is crucial. Environmental and social sustainability of such regeneration processes, and the continuity of these processes in time, are a part of this complexity. “Low-tech” solutions in architecture and other fields may assure such overall appropriateness, and in particular increase the degree of resilience of local communities, urban or rural alike. That is to say that the two research themes, “low tech architecture” and “local development” are in my theoretical approach and in my activity just two aspects of the same topic and are very closely interlocked. Moving towards sustainability does not only imply preserving buildings which masterfully use local materials, appropriate technology, and traditional wisdom, or to develop new buildings according to these principles. A more comprehensive approach is needed to (re)create a high quality of life in tune with nature’s cycles and able to survive indefinitely. This approach to an enhanced resilience should obviously encompass both the architectural/building scale and the local/regional scale, in full understanding of social, economic, ethical, and ecological issues regarding a given community. To achieve this, which is of course valid for both Italy and Japan, a long road has still to be gone in both countries. As it ever happens, sharing one’s experience with others – the more “different” and diverse they are, the better – allows one not only to communicate, but also to understand better one’s own content. Through their eyes and through repeated and long discussion, to make explicit what was implicit, or even taken for granted. I believe that – besides the many new acquaintances I made and the many things I learnt – this was one of the highest accomplishments of my research travel to Japan.