A Place for Childhood Spirits
Aomori City Design Competition 2001
Aomori City in Japan asked for proposals for city housing that expressed “a fresh way of living” as part of an overall revitalization and urban planning effort. The proposals for the housing complex should incorporate welfare services as well as cultural and community functions.
My proposal began with the traditional Japanese urban elements of public and semi-private courtyards, bathhouses, gardens and community life on the streets. Into this basic plan, I infused a child-like spirit, which was inspired by experiences I had while teaching the traveling artists in Yueyang, Hunan, P.R. China. There I discovered the significance of childhood spirits and their relationship to a city.
Children share smiles unconditionally, wear bright clothing, and move unpredictably through and around the built environment. Their presence enlightens the space and they pass on their youthful energy to others. Similarly, the movement, growth, and life of a vibrant city reflect these childhood spirits. The housing plan I created for Aomori was designed to nurture this spirit in young and old alike.