Urban Engawa / Veranda -Making Interactive Spaces for Tokyo Urbanites in the Fuzzy Spaces between Inside and Outside-

Abstract

This design thesis explores urban landscape design for future Tokyo, Japan to encourage interaction among Tokyo urbanites and nature through “fuzzy space” between inside and outside. For this purpose, focusing on how culture and history of Tokyo make Tokyo urbanites perception of space is the key to design public spaces what they desire. For now, there are many problems in the city of Tokyo, such as lack of communication with other people, lack of public space and green spaces, and environmental issues. In order to improve these problems, I conducted a review of existing literature/scholarship and a survey of Tokyo urbanites. It asked them their perceptions about public open spaces to understand their desires for design in the urban landscape in Tokyo. I then applied these results to my design intervention called fuzzy spaces. Fuzzy space allows users to watch and see natural elements and people’s activities which Tokyo urbanites desire and places like an engawa within the structure of the historical Japanese house. I hope to my design thesis project inspires future designs of Tokyo to successfully provide a place for resting and socialization, and serve as a sanctuary for future Tokyo urbanites.