Inside communityTangible /Hard

Soft/ Intangible

Outside Community

Extended Comunity

*Craftsmen*Artists

*Local People *Pre- war Building

*Yanaka WS

Self- construction Workshop

Physical Townscape

*Yanaka Ginza Shotengai *Alleys

*Yanaka Reien *Streetscape

Loca

l tra

ditio

nsH

erita

ge- L

egac

y

*Tourists

*Students*Volunteers

Balance Livelihood

*Ski

lls *T

echn

ique

s

Ref. No.1 Hagiso

B

A

Output

Input NetworkHAGISO

Community

3. Execution2. Funding1. Planning

Network

No Name Funding Planning

HagisoCASACO

YUUTO VillageKitaoji HouseChidori Bunka

Hida Kuma

CrowdfundingGovernment

PrivateSponsorship

PrivateSponsorship

OwnerPublic- private

OwnerWorkshop

CommunityCommunity

23456

1

Renovation Project References

Hagiso’s Renovation Network

NeishiYanesen

Machiya homes and Alleyways

Hongo

Yushima

Akihabara

Kanda

Nishikata

Kanda St.

Akihabara St.

Okachimachi

UenoUeno St.

Nippori St.

Hitotsubashi/Jimbocho

Art at Museumsand The Tokyo University of the Arts

Spiritual Culture in theEdo Era. Traditions of Kanda Festival

Library Area Old Bookstores andPublishing companies

Spiritual CulrureShrine and Yashima Seido

Acedemic culture at Tokyo University

Pop culture of Mangaand Anime

Education 谷中 Temple AreaShrine Area

Major Roads

Urban Re-dev.Housing Re-dev.

Major Roads

Pedestrian Routes2 Km RadiusCultural CentersProject Site

Religious FacilityMuseums

Green AreasUeno ZooCemetery

Uguisudani

Preservation of the traditional townscape in Yanaka, TokyoNew renovation system with architects in residence

安田研究室　15M51638　ロチャ・アンドレス　(ROCHA, Andres)

Fig. 2 Yanaka’s cultural resources. Problematics and strategies

Fig. 3 Renovation System references

Fig. 1 Tokyo’s cultural resources area

1. INTRODUCTION The district stretching from north-east to east-center Tokyo neighborhoods- Yanesen (Yana-ka, Nezu, and Sendagi) and Negishi to Ueno, Hongo, Aki-habara, Kanda, Jimbocho, and Yushima- is home to a large concentration of cultural resources. Its history spans from the feudal era to the present days, and with just two kilo-meters in radius, it remains completely walkable. In spite of this, each of the areas composing the district has suf-fered significant transformations starting from the large-scale developments before the 1964 Olympics. Solely, by chance and community activism, some areas have man-aged to escape major damages in the 1923 Earthquake and the Second World War, retaining the atmosphere of the 19th and early 20th century. However, due to the in-crease of pre-war buildings in need of major renovations, many of these areas have been facing the threat of aggres-sive redevelopment. A growing number of foreign visitors, further endangers the special characteristics of the place. Therefore, Yanaka has been selected for a study aiming to propose a system for preserving and renovating the old buildings and to create a balance between the locals and the tourists with the intention of maintaining the cultur-al resources that frame the distinctive image of the area.

2. SITE Yanaka is a historical part of Tokyo developed as a temple town in the Edo period (1603- 1867) that still retains the charm and the warmth of the past and a rich culture of everyday life. Located next to Ueno Park, the neighborhood still brings home to more than 70 temples and buildings from Meiji era. Thus, in spite of natural disasters and war, old buildings remain, retaining much of the traditional townscape. In recent years, Yanaka has undergone a transformation, and traditional spaces have been adapted to art galleries, cafés, restaurants and Airbnb. Others have been demolished and replaced by parking spaces. Together with the local shopping street, the town’s characteristic small alleyways have become popular attractions for foreign visitors. As a result of the difficulties for property owners to dispose of the old tra-ditional buildings, the construction of large-scale condo-miniums around the area, and the rapid growth of visi-tors in response to the movement towards the Olympic Games in 2020, Yanaka’s traditional townscape has been changing under the name of re-development (Fig.01).

3. DESIGN STRATEGY In order to approach the is-sue that represents the developments, considering both the intangible and tangible characteristics of the area, extended community and Yanaka Work-shop were selected as design strategies (Fig.02). 3.1 Extended Community The practices, representations, knowledge and skills preserved and passed on through generations, are a special part of the cultural identity of the town. Locals (Inside Community) aim to protect the cultural resources of the area from the high pressure cre-ated by the tourists (Outside community). As these two groups have diverging behaviors, an extended commu-nity is introduced as a new temporary contributor, which through the daily life experience manages to balance the

① FUNDING PHASE

③ INITIATION PHASE

④ EXECUTION PHASE

② PLANNING PHASE

Housing Renovation

First Renovation / Upgrade Project

INVESTMENT ¥ ¥ ¥

INVESTMENT ¥ ¥

LOGISTICSUPPORT

Taito Ward Funding

Extended Community-AIR- 谷中

Call for Applicants

Open Call forDesign Workshop

“ Traditional JapaneseWooden Construction

Techniques木造軸組工法”

[ 3 Months - 1 Year Residence ]

Homestay in 谷中 Family House

Industry Research+ Prototyping

LIVING EXPENSES¥ ¥

Foreign House Knowledge

谷中 CaftsmanPovides

Traditional Technique

Knowledge +Skills ReturnHome

Families

NewResidents

A Renovated House+ A New Function

for the Town

The System RepeatedAlleys and Streets

Recover Livelihood

New Building sitePreviously Gas Station

NEW PROJECT

Students Artistin Residence

+Practical Studio

谷中 Art Gallery谷中 Store

Community

Art PieceFurnitureTourists

Recycled Material

THE IDEA

Community + NPOProjects Study

谷中 Area HouseStudy

谷中 Area HouseStudyProject Selection

IMPLEMENTATIONTECHNIQUE +WORKFORCE

PROPOSAL

Housing Structure

Walls

Roof

Doors - Windows

Nap Space

Cooking Classes

1 Table Cafe

HO

USE

CO

MPO

NEN

T EL

EMEN

TS

THE HOUSE TO BE RENOVATED

YANAKAWORKSHOP

-AIR- 谷中RENOVATION

UPGRADE PROJECT

VISITING ART SPACE

INTERACT WITH CRAFTMAN

RETU

RN

RETURN TO THE STUDIO

LIVI

NG

+ EA

RN

ING

BUYING

Crowd Funding

¥ ¥

¥ ¥

Fig. 4 Renovation phases- Architects in Residence (AIR) system

contrast in behaviours and interests between the existing communities. 3.2 Yanaka WS Much of the original townscape and its distinctive characteristics have been protected and pre-served. These resources can be observed in 4 different areas: Yanaka Ginza Shotengai, Temple/ Shrine area, Al-leyways, and Cemetery. Intertwined within these areas, Pre-war houses with historical value listed in “Taito ward cultural property Survey Report”1 urging renovation can be found. As these buildings are a legacy with high value to be maintained, a self-construction workshop (Yanaka WS) is stablished aiming to renovate and upgrade each one of the houses. For preserving the living culture of the area such as alleyways, shopping district, historical buildings, and local’s lifestyle’s distinctive character, con-nections between each of the resources are taken into con-sideration (Fig.03). Architects in Residence System (AIR谷中) has been established as the renovation strategy. AIR谷中 gives the opportunity to the Extended Commu-nity (Architecture students, craftsmen and young artists) to stay in Yanaka. Therefore, by attaining and developing skills in traditional timber construction techniques on the site for a period of time participates actively in the reno-vation activities (Fig.04).

4. DESIGN PROPOSAL Housing is the main function of the buildings to be renovated. Even though such build-ings gather together and create a private community, it is considered how these houses to be renovated can be linked to the economic and cultural network in Yanaka. For preserving the main physical features and addition-ally creating a contemporary space within a traditional module a methodology from two approaches is proposed. 4.1 Spatial approach Structural Reinforcement by im-

plementing load bearing walls (耐力壁), combining struc-tures of two or more houses through the separating void or through a shared wall, extending the existing spaces in the vertical axis or in the horizontal axis, Revealing the original structure and implementing new materiality are the physical targets to be achieved by the renovation.4.2 Functional approach Learning, creating and connect-ing are the three practices to be developed as part of the renovation process by implementing AIR谷中 system.Learning, participants study and learns from lo-cal carpenters the practical aspects of traditional timber construction on site. The extended commu-nity interacts directly with the inside community.Creating, prototyping and construction of large- scale wood-en structures involving the construction industry and the creation of traditional handcrafts, involving the network of galleries and young artists today present in the area.Connecting, the inside community is willing to share Yanaka’s resources with the Outside community. Open spaces are proposed for creating awareness of the trea-sures and traditions in the neighborhood (Fig.06).

5. CONCLUSION This proposal suggests an alternative approach to the recurrent difficulty of dealing with old buildings in Japan. While the easiest way is to stop resist-ing and submit to an aggressive development that omits the legacy of traditional communities like Yanaka, AIR谷中 is a system that brings together architects, crafts-men, tourists, The local community and the industry with a common purpose, and thus creates a participative way of recovering and preserving traditional townscapes with high value for future generations. Eventually, AIR谷中 can be applied by any other community willing to get involved actively in deciding the future of their town.

1. 谷中のすまい。台東区文化財調査報告書第三集

Section

ObservationDeck

Tourists Inf.Center

Courtyard

Exhibition SpaceOffice SpaceArchive

Terrace

ReadingRoom

3280

3280

5000

1FL

2FL

3FL

0 M 2M 4M

Tokyo University of the Arts

Yanaka Reien

0M 20M 100M

To Ueno Park

C. LearningT. Exhibition

PHASE 3.PHASE 2.

Combiningthrough Void

Structural Reinforcement

Combiningthrough Wall

Extendingin Horizontal Axis

Extendingin Vertical Axis

A. FabricationLab

Fig. 6 Design Proposal. Spatial Approach Fig. 7 AIR 谷中. Renovation Parameters

C. Learning C. Learning B. Co-Working

Implementing LoadBearing Walls(耐力壁)

PHASE 1.ExistingUrban Void

Constructionof Archive Space+ Tourist Space

Renovation and Extention of Office+ Exhibition + WS

RevealingOriginal Structure

ImplementingNew Materiality

Openingto Community

B

321

A

Output

Input Network

ExtendedCommunity

谷中 WSPrototype

ExecutionFundingPlanning

Network

LocalKnowledge

MaterialDonations

ExpertSkill

SkillsDevelopment

DecisionMaking

Community Events

DIY

Basic Renovation Process Network Community Contribution

Painting

DIYDemolition

Spatial Approach Air 谷中’s Renovation Network

Construction Phases

0M 3.6M 10.8M

Handscraft WSSpace

Exhibition SpaceCourtyardArchive

Tourists Inf.Center

Book Shop + Cafe

To Ueno Park

Renovation Office Building

Exhibition space. Interior Perspective

To Nezu St

To Sendagi St

Yanaka's Network Plan

1st Floor Plan

Fig. 5 AIR 谷中. Project Sites, from Ueno park to Yanaka Reien

Fig. 8 Tourists- Archive space. Plans and Section Perspective

Before

No. Y-503大沢 清谷中5-9-21大正14年

No. Y-504石井 寛行谷中5-9-22大正13年

台東区文化財調査報告書「谷中のすまい」

Case Study A

Before

No. Y-501粕谷 銭蔵谷中5-2-5昭和3年

台東区文化財調査報告書「谷中のすまい」

Case Study B

Before

No. Y-603関谷 成一谷中6-2-2明治26年

台東区文化財調査報告書「谷中のすまい」

Case Study C

After

Combiningthrough Void

A. Fabrication Lab

After

Extendingin Vertical Axis

B. Co-Working

After

Combiningthrough Wall+Extendingin Horizontal Axis

C. Learning

Innovation office

2640

2870

TouristsResting space

Section

ReinforcementLoad bearing

WallCreation space

Braces

1FL

2FL

Glass Facade

Original Roof

Original Structure

0 M 1.8 M 3.6M

Innovation office

1620

0

Ideas Studio

30600 1600 1260012600

Tourists Resting Space

Creation Space

Fab Lab

Warehouse

Before BeforeCombiningthrough the Void

Void

Original Roof

ReinforcementLoad bearing Wall

ReinforcementBrace

0 1.8M 5.4M

Yanaka Ginza

Yanaka Reien

To Nezu St

To Tennoji Temple To Nippori St.

A. Fabrication Lab

B. Co-Working

SHOP ONSENRENTAL BIKEBUS STOPART SPACE TEMPLE AREAHISTORICAL HOUSE PARK CEMETERY AREAYANAKA MAP

2nd Floor Plan 1st Floor Plan

Fig. 5 AIR 谷中. Project Sites, from Yanaka Reien to Nippori station

Fig. 9 Renovation Projects. Plans and Section Perspective, fabrication Lab