Finally, after six months since I joined this practiced and started working on a project, I’ve started with another project today.
It’s almost like a temporary helper for that project as I’ll be on holiday in two weeks time, but it’s very nice to do something totally different from what I’ve been doing. The project is already at the detailed design stage and I was asked to develop some detail designs. Actually, I was feeling a bit nervous about starting with this project as all the members of the project team were new to me. However, it was quite easy as everybody didn’t seem to have as good experiences as I’ve expected, even the project architect!
I know that I should be confident with myself as I’ve got almost 15 years’ experience, but I was pleased with the fact that I could be confident in this kind of situation. I’d like to enjoy the next two weeks!
6 May 2008
18 Mar 2008
character of english and japanese seen through the design of toilets
About a year ago, when I went for lunch at a pub with my colleagues, one of them said, “the toilet in this pub is without a entrance door, which is a nice design.” In fact, as he said, a door-less toilet is unusual in this country, even in larger public buildings.
In Japan, nowadays, door-less design for toilets is commonly used particularly for public buildings. As Japan is full of newly built modern buildings, it is understandable that it hasn’t yet happened a lot in England. However, I assume this is partly because of the difference of people’s character in both countries.
It seems that, people in England are more concerned about privacy, whilst Japanese are more concerned about cleanliness. When we design a door-less toilet we have to consider the things such as visibility from outside and soundproof, and if a toilet does have an entrance door you have to touch it even after you disinfect your hands!
I also think the difference is reflecting the reliability on ventilation. In England, generally, mechanical ventilation system is relatively poor and not reliable, so people tend to rely on natural ventilation by opening up the windows. So, probably from the fear of spread of toilet smell, architects may not be keen to design door-less toilets.
In Japan, nowadays, door-less design for toilets is commonly used particularly for public buildings. As Japan is full of newly built modern buildings, it is understandable that it hasn’t yet happened a lot in England. However, I assume this is partly because of the difference of people’s character in both countries.
It seems that, people in England are more concerned about privacy, whilst Japanese are more concerned about cleanliness. When we design a door-less toilet we have to consider the things such as visibility from outside and soundproof, and if a toilet does have an entrance door you have to touch it even after you disinfect your hands!
I also think the difference is reflecting the reliability on ventilation. In England, generally, mechanical ventilation system is relatively poor and not reliable, so people tend to rely on natural ventilation by opening up the windows. So, probably from the fear of spread of toilet smell, architects may not be keen to design door-less toilets.
13 Feb 2008
involved in london 2012!
Great news came out to our practice. We have won a project for Olympic!! We will be named in the development of Olympic facilities with other prominent architects. We will rather “take care of” them all!
It’s actually a project of sewage plant that will treat the drainage from the Olympic facilities like Zaha’s Aquatics Centre or whatever. Even for such plant buildings aesthetic is usually well considered in this country, not like in Japan, so it will be a very exciting project. Even if I will not be involved in the design team this will be a good memory!
It’s actually a project of sewage plant that will treat the drainage from the Olympic facilities like Zaha’s Aquatics Centre or whatever. Even for such plant buildings aesthetic is usually well considered in this country, not like in Japan, so it will be a very exciting project. Even if I will not be involved in the design team this will be a good memory!
28 Jan 2008
public consultation
Recently, I had a couple of opportunities to attend public consultations for the project I’m currently working on. It is a master-planning project for some developments of housing and some other public facilities in a new town developed in the 1950’s. Same as we do in Japan, the public consultations are organised in order to explain the schemes and to listen to people in the area. They were organised by our client and a developing consultant, and the role of our practice was to present the proposals.
It was actually very tough! And at the same time, it was really interesting and even exciting. I was just doing some supporting works but it was really a good experience. There were some, and quite many at one consultation, very very vocal people. It’s just the same in Japan! The meeting was just endless and impossible.
The people here seemed to express more personal opinions than those in Japan. And they even seemed literally more conservative – majority were keen to maintain the existing living environment. I’ve also realised people here are more concerned about privacy than we Japanese generally are. Some neighbours raised overlooking issues to their bedrooms or even to their gardens. I had already known overlooking issues are very important in this country but it was more than that I had expected. Those opinions were understandable to some extent but seemed a bit too greedy.
I’m still not a project architect for this project, however, I am at least entrusted with most of the planning works of it. I’m really enjoying it and realising how different the urban planning principles are in the UK and in Japan. Particularly, the feedbacks from these public consultations are really important. I’m sure this experience will help a lot to my future work in Japan!
It was actually very tough! And at the same time, it was really interesting and even exciting. I was just doing some supporting works but it was really a good experience. There were some, and quite many at one consultation, very very vocal people. It’s just the same in Japan! The meeting was just endless and impossible.
The people here seemed to express more personal opinions than those in Japan. And they even seemed literally more conservative – majority were keen to maintain the existing living environment. I’ve also realised people here are more concerned about privacy than we Japanese generally are. Some neighbours raised overlooking issues to their bedrooms or even to their gardens. I had already known overlooking issues are very important in this country but it was more than that I had expected. Those opinions were understandable to some extent but seemed a bit too greedy.
I’m still not a project architect for this project, however, I am at least entrusted with most of the planning works of it. I’m really enjoying it and realising how different the urban planning principles are in the UK and in Japan. Particularly, the feedbacks from these public consultations are really important. I’m sure this experience will help a lot to my future work in Japan!
17 Dec 2007
THE VERVE live at roundhouse
Oops, it’s already more than a month ago, but, sorry, I just don’t want to miss this topic out…
The Verve
venue: Roundhouse, London (Chalk Farm)
date: 9th Dec 2007
time: 9:00 - 11:00 pm
support: None
Yes, I’ve seen The Verve! This is just incredible!! I had never ever expected to see them anymore since they split up in early 1999 until their recent surprising announcement of reunion.
As I wrote previously, I’ve once chased them up to Leeds to see their performance at V98 festival. But it was a bit frustrating one as the guitarist Nick had just left the band before their breakup. Then, finally, they had never come to Japan despite an awfully high demand.
And, this time, it was excellent! It was obviously different from what I’ve seen before. It was massively energetic and devastating, and was even different from the image of the band which I’d been having. I’ve now realised that they were actually a live band! Amazingly, they have played for bloody two hours! They are still young enough to rock.
When Richard Ashcroft walked into the stage, I was knocked out. He was just… cool! So cool!! What a man!!!
Also, the venue was amazing. Roundhouse is a recently remodelled live venue which had been given an architectural award, and it was literally originally a roundhouse. It is not just unusual but the interior was so cool! This is England! This is The Verve!!
To be continued!!
The Vervevenue: Roundhouse, London (Chalk Farm)
date: 9th Dec 2007
time: 9:00 - 11:00 pm
support: None
Yes, I’ve seen The Verve! This is just incredible!! I had never ever expected to see them anymore since they split up in early 1999 until their recent surprising announcement of reunion.
As I wrote previously, I’ve once chased them up to Leeds to see their performance at V98 festival. But it was a bit frustrating one as the guitarist Nick had just left the band before their breakup. Then, finally, they had never come to Japan despite an awfully high demand.
And, this time, it was excellent! It was obviously different from what I’ve seen before. It was massively energetic and devastating, and was even different from the image of the band which I’d been having. I’ve now realised that they were actually a live band! Amazingly, they have played for bloody two hours! They are still young enough to rock.
When Richard Ashcroft walked into the stage, I was knocked out. He was just… cool! So cool!! What a man!!!Also, the venue was amazing. Roundhouse is a recently remodelled live venue which had been given an architectural award, and it was literally originally a roundhouse. It is not just unusual but the interior was so cool! This is England! This is The Verve!!
To be continued!!
22 Nov 2007
leaving the office
It is chronologically the other way round, but I would like to talk a bit about when I left the last office.
Every time when someone left the last office, the bosses organised an office drink on the person’s last day. Just after I joined the practice an year ago, I have experienced this custom as a woman was leaving the office and going back to Australia. I was actually amazed as the ceremony was impressive and the people in the office were so friendly. She was given nice presents and cards from both the bosses and colleagues, then she gave us a speech with tears in her eyes.
I remember at that time I just couldn’t imagine this would happen to me some day. Particularly, it was very difficult to imagine I would make a speech in English in front of twenty professional architects! Yes, I wasn’t confident with my English at all. Mind you, I’m not saying I am now totally confident, though.
However, as a result, the time has come so soon. When I decided to leave, I was still nervous about the ceremony, but luckily, there was another person leaving on the same day. Also, I was there only for a year, so it wasn’t that emotional thing. I could somehow make a speech.
I was a bit frustrated with my speech. I’ve realised I still have to practice English very hard. But now it seems it wasn’t too bad. Maybe I should be confident about it a little bit.
I’ve got fantastic presents and cards from the bosses and from my colleagues. The boss gave me very nice words. She appreciated my work very much and it seemed to be quite an honest feeling. It was such a wonderful experience, I am really happy about it.
Oh, I just forgot to say, I’ve worked just as normal until just an hour before the end!!
Every time when someone left the last office, the bosses organised an office drink on the person’s last day. Just after I joined the practice an year ago, I have experienced this custom as a woman was leaving the office and going back to Australia. I was actually amazed as the ceremony was impressive and the people in the office were so friendly. She was given nice presents and cards from both the bosses and colleagues, then she gave us a speech with tears in her eyes.
I remember at that time I just couldn’t imagine this would happen to me some day. Particularly, it was very difficult to imagine I would make a speech in English in front of twenty professional architects! Yes, I wasn’t confident with my English at all. Mind you, I’m not saying I am now totally confident, though.
However, as a result, the time has come so soon. When I decided to leave, I was still nervous about the ceremony, but luckily, there was another person leaving on the same day. Also, I was there only for a year, so it wasn’t that emotional thing. I could somehow make a speech.
I was a bit frustrated with my speech. I’ve realised I still have to practice English very hard. But now it seems it wasn’t too bad. Maybe I should be confident about it a little bit.
I’ve got fantastic presents and cards from the bosses and from my colleagues. The boss gave me very nice words. She appreciated my work very much and it seemed to be quite an honest feeling. It was such a wonderful experience, I am really happy about it.
Oh, I just forgot to say, I’ve worked just as normal until just an hour before the end!!
18 Nov 2007
a new start
I had a good start with my new job!
I started working there from last Monday straightaway after I left the last office on Friday the week before. At the last office I worked as normal almost until the end and at the new office I started working as normal almost from the beginning. It was almost like I just changed the place of work but not the work itself. I rather enjoyed my ability to adapt an immediate change of environment.
I tell you what, I didn’t feel nervous at all! It was so very different from the time I joined the last practice. It is true that I was quite familiar with the office as I used to go there for a couple of weeks last summer for helping my friend NY’s own work, who was at that time freelancing there. But I believe that is almost because of my progress. In fact, there are only a few people left since I was there.
I was also lucky to start with the project NY is working on. This must be the reason why I didn’t realise I’ve changed my work.
The first week actually seemed relatively long. I didn’t think I was feeling any stress from moving, but now it seems actually I was. This weekend, I’ve been feeling very tired! Anyway, I’m happy about the fact that I could work as normal at two different places without any break and I had a good start!
I started working there from last Monday straightaway after I left the last office on Friday the week before. At the last office I worked as normal almost until the end and at the new office I started working as normal almost from the beginning. It was almost like I just changed the place of work but not the work itself. I rather enjoyed my ability to adapt an immediate change of environment.
I tell you what, I didn’t feel nervous at all! It was so very different from the time I joined the last practice. It is true that I was quite familiar with the office as I used to go there for a couple of weeks last summer for helping my friend NY’s own work, who was at that time freelancing there. But I believe that is almost because of my progress. In fact, there are only a few people left since I was there.
I was also lucky to start with the project NY is working on. This must be the reason why I didn’t realise I’ve changed my work.
The first week actually seemed relatively long. I didn’t think I was feeling any stress from moving, but now it seems actually I was. This weekend, I’ve been feeling very tired! Anyway, I’m happy about the fact that I could work as normal at two different places without any break and I had a good start!
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