Research on the rehabilitation of social housing estates in
The end of last September was an international week for me!
On the 26th September, I joined a bus tour of the CIB W104 visiting a renovation project of a dwelling in public housing estate in Tokyo, and the Sekisui Heim Tokyo factory in Hasuda, Saitama prefecture. I could never have imagined such a production system of a house! It was really industrialised like car production. I would like to ask Le Corbusier how he feels when he sees it......
Between the 27th and the 29th, I was in the exhibition hall of the SB05 in New Takanawa Prince Hotel as a presenter. This time, I didn't participate in the panel nor the oral presentation. I enjoyed talking with the participants from various countries. Some of them told me that I was beautiful, my French was very comfortable, etc, etc....even if it was not necessarily true, such compliments made me happy and more cheerful. How nice, this occidental way of communication!
On the 30th, thanks to the proposition of my boss, I was present at the annual meeting of the CIB W104 at the Architectural Institute of Japan in Tamachi. My field of research is originally French Modern Architectural History, not Open Building. So, the lectures were really very new for me, and sometimes it was hard to understand them. But, I am trying to make use of these precious unexpected experiences in order to develop my research field and ability.........
On the 31st September, I was quite busy. In the morning, I guided Mr. Frans van der Werf, a famous Dutch architect, from his hotel in Shinagawa to Ogikubo, where my boss was waiting for him. After this, I went to my office in Hachioji to do some preparation, and at 1am, I visited a model room of a condominium near the office with Madame Lia Affonso Ferreira, a very kind and skillful Brazilian woman architect who works for the San Paulo state's housing and urban development company. From 3pm to 6pm, I participated in a special meeting at the offfice. After that, I enjoyed a buisiness diner.....On this day, all day long, I had to speak and understand in English, and I was really worn out though the people I met were so wonderful......
On the 2nd October, Mr. van der Werf gave a great lecture about his works for the students of the Dept. of Architecture and Building Science at Tokyo Metropolitan University. I was interested especially in the stance between his architectural theory and his practice, for his theorical idea is very logical and simple, but his architectural form is charmingly organic. I asked him, 'How do you develop your theory into your practical work?' He answered warmly, 'Case by case, I decide all according to the people's demands'. He added a short quotation from his friend, a Dutch professor, ' The best theory is in what is practical'. Anyway, I like his architecture quite a lot!
After this international week, I returned to my normal work as a researcher, and I had to finish my academic paper by the 10th October!