Happy Hour with the Miyakoda's

Enjoyed a nice saturday evening on the patio after work.

KANPAI!!!

Shinjuku

Spent a day touring Shinjuku.

Tokyo Mode - a new school of fashion & design in Tokyo

The building's form is based on the silk worms cocoon symbolizing emerging energy and new growth. The silk worm is also an important component of raw material for the fashion industry.

Landscape & reflection pool

Entry walk

Fountain and bridge at another project

sunken courtyard & plaza

this did not lead to oz

Brick fountain and cascade - Aya's dad used to work here when he worked for Kajima. Aya remembers meeting her dad here after work and eating dinner and playing in the fountain.

An interesting plaza & garden for a new residential tower

I really liked the planting design

A pretty small area to design in an expensive location obviously allowed the use of expensive materials and intricate detailing

The contrasting of textures and shades of green, white, and dark reds/blacks was very effective

A cool set of stairs that used programmed LED lighting to create patterns of falling water, and fireworks.

lighting detail

The wandering eye, in Shinjuku station

A low res video of the stair lights

Kennedy's

Kennedy's is a steakhouse in Gotanda. Every so often they have deals where all of their steaks are 1/2 off. That is when we go.

The 500g "mega-big sirloin" doesn't stand a chance (3000 yen regular price). Everyone was disappointed when I didn't order this the first time we came. However, now that I have done it I will go back to the smaller Japanese steaks versus the larger Australian cuts.

For an additional 1000 yen ($11) you can get all you can drink with your dinner. That sounds like another challenge to me.

Good times.

Form Follows Function

Due to the frequency of seismic activity in Japan, there are requirements for open spaces of varying size that can be used as meeting points when the next major earthquake occurs. These spaces are referred to as Bosai Koen or Earthquake Parks. We are currently working on the planning and renovation of some of these parks in Tokyo.

Not only are these benches for use in the park, they also double as large grills should the need arise. Simply remove the wood from the metal grating they are mounted to and burn it in the bottom of the "bench." I just wonder what everyone will be grilling?

Playground Equipment

Seems Japan does not have the same fear of litigation as the United States. They still have play equipment like I grew up playing on.

This was designed by Takeda-san (whom I work with) over 30 years ago. Apparently they don't allow this type of equipment to be designed anymore, but they also do not tear it down.

Not a soul was using the modern playground equipment that has been added over the years, but kids were all over the concrete and metal structure.

Another playground in Kamakura that just screams lawsuit in the US.

Riding the Train

The Japanese love their cell phones.

Wild Flontier

of the Ladies no less.

In the Wild Flontier things are too crazy to not wear adult onesies.