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Hikikomori In Akihabara

Part 2 Project 2003
Yoo Eng Chia
Fiona Thaddeus
 National University of Singapore | Singapore
Hikikomori reject the society, see no point in human interaction, withdraw into their individual space. Designers know little about how they live in isolation in this city. Designing enclosed space to suit them promote withdrawal, ‘designated interactive public space’ are too naïve to work. Rejecting the established, architects must redefine their communication, boundaries and space. A non-insistance architecture that merely set up a framework for them to evolve in years of use, allow designers to learn from. When every man facing their PC becomes somewhat withdrawn, they are no different from a hikikomori. Sony taps on the expert gaming skills of these withdrawn people (originally no economic value) & house them alongside common gamers.


Yoo Eng Chia’s study on Hikikomori, the young people’s self-withdrawal from a society, takes the phenomenon as an alternative way of living and communication, partially derived from the present urban and suburban condition in Japan. Her first hand experience in Tokyo -- the convenience store late at night, quiet people packed in a coach, and vending machine that speaks inorganic way – intuitively taught that the various spatial settings encourage the society to become rather introverted. Her thesis, thus, can be considered as a process of objectifying and comprehending a significance of such spatial condition, while reconstituting it in the middle of “Electric City,” Akihabara, where Hikikomori people can hide yet live by working through electric devices only.

The corridor and staircase equipped with vending machines, bookshelves and hidden refugee’s area constantly give passengers opportunity to avoid face to face contact, while a metal-deck floor and pre-fab partition kit allow a resident to feel the others through even a subtle stepping noise. Such sensible and appropriate use of materials makes project tangible and experiential. Finally, I believe, what this project signify is not only a space for the Hikikomori, but also an architectural “prototype” for the new society to come.

Tutor(s)
Quazi Zaman
2003
Concept sheet Pt 1 What makes a Hikikomori? What is the social condition of Japan? Is there any difference between a hikikomori and the common man on the streets of Tokyo? Introduction of Technology and Sony and the ‘working hikikomori’ condition.
Concept sheet Pt 2 Tokyo working class condition = ‘Working’ hikikomori condition Communication is non physical / verbal in this withdrawal era. Who says that sociability is a virtue and reclusiveness a problem?
Akihabara Site Study A city image so strong that people do not see what is behind its surface. A perfect urban hiding place for hikikomori. A electronic paradise for Sony.
Sony Building Plans Site splits bldg into 2: general staff office & home offices for who prefers not to see/ be seen. One’s space is determined, one’s space changes with its residents. A stage for chance & deliberate encounters.
Front Elevation Withdraw does not mean reject the city by building a blank Ando wall. It only draws attention to itself. Hide behind the many commercial advertisements in Akihabara & no one bothers you.
Backlane Elevation In line with the almost eventless backlane, non façade elevation allows hikikomori to interact with the streets but not the other way round. Their changing façade hint of their life to outsiders
Section A An expert withdrawal gamer in his cubicle is doing exactly the same thing as a ‘common’ gamer in an open office. But they see, feel and notice different things and require different environments in the same building
Section B The void that separates common & hikikomori gamers also connects them. The staircase both need to use transform into a library of books/CD, a natural non-demanding ‘hangout place”.
Redefining daily life spaces Transit staircase space becomes space of pause. Toilet is a place to listen & ‘know’ people. Daily habits of strangers are familiar to other strangers. We do not talk but we ‘know’ each other very well.
Instant Space hikikomori is not restricted to a designed space to keep them hidden. Their total freedom is achieved by system of M&E points/ removable floors, instant DIY walls. They decide how withdrawn they need.
Detail Section A comparative detail section of the common front office verse the hikikomori’s live-in workplace
Individual System The ‘home’ system of the free-choice hikikomori. You may be hidden, but your individual light or PC screen lights tell others of your presence. Concept of DIY construction
Alternative Hidden Entrance Different entrance & routes for different people. A place to lean against the wall to smoke, noticing the same people walk by at the same time.
Model 1/ front elevation. The corporate face. A company image with no individual identity
Model 2/ rear perspective The triangular site splits the building into front and back.
Model 3/ back elevations Prefab metal planks of the hikikomori space in which sound/ vibration of floor will announce that someone is walking out of his space so others might decide to wait before coming out to avoid meeting.
Model detail /1/2 level staircase library One moves up not just because he wants to go to the ‘other’ place. A good excuse for shy people – need to get books. You do not meet people head on but both facing a wall of books
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