Roadside architecture of American South West II

Roadside architecture of American South West

Safe House

While I was wondering in Kyoto my attention attracted buildings with small, deep-set windows with heavy cement shutters. Windows of this design called takamado are unique to the kura (storehouse). Build as separate structure of the machiya, or city merchant house, they was used to protect valuables from fire, in particular.


This distinctive architectural form based on the unit of single tatami mat (around 90cmx180cm) emerged in Edo period, which spanned more than 250 years from 1603 to 1867.

Japanese minimal architecture

While not much old and traditional buildings remains in Japanese cities, the new ones bears distinct Japanese passion for things small and compact. Some buildings are amazing manifestation creativity and engineering, but here are plenty simple dwellings of impressive smallnes.

Kisho Kurokawa's Nakagin Capsule Tower

Spent a day just to locate Kisho Kurokawa's Nakagin Capsule Tower in the Ginza area of Tokyo. Originally designed as a Capsule Hotel to provide economical housing for businessmen working or drinking late. The one-man-room capsule, a modified (4 x 2.5 meter) shipping container, has a circular window, a built-in bed and bathroom unit, and is complete with TV, radio and alarm clock. The capsule interior was pre-assembled in a factory then hoisted by crane and fastened to the concrete core shaft. Kurokawa's design theory was to replace the capsules when needed, but the building has not been maintained in 33 years which has caused drainage and water pipes to be damaged.
The international heritage protection group Docomomo, have unsuccessfully pleaded for the United Nations' heritage arm to protect this landmark building.

Malaparte: A House Like Me

One of the most beautifully designed, made and written book I encountered in recent years is Malaparte: A House Like Me. Produced with love and passion by visionary architect Michael McDonough book offers an extraordinary look at Italian writer Curzio Malaparte (1898-1957), the man and his house, Casa Malaparte in Capri.

Building designer was true Renaissance man: adventurer, actor, novelist, poet, filmmaker, soldier, playwright, journalist, political figure, prisoner, composer, charmer — inventor and revealer of truths.
Spell bounding black and white photographs of Mimmo Jodice in tune with Mediterranean landscape and spirit of the house. The book makes you come to Capri and experience this unique part of the island for yourself.