Thesis
Adapting the Japanese legacy of space reuse to the design of the US residences: How can the Japanese reuse of residential space educate and inform the design of the US residences
Washington State University
Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
2003
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/105
Abstract
Purpose: This study is a cultural and historical research of the contrast in recycling in two countries. The study explores the methods of reusing materials, building structures, and interior spaces in the USA, and Japan. The researcher investigates the differences of the recycling methods of materials, building structures, and interior spaces in the two cultures and the reason for the differences. A major focus of this study is taking one element; the recycling of space, and expanding it into a design prototype. The researcher intends this study to raise awareness towards the recycling in the Western culture of the United States by applying the Eastern method of reuse for materials and spaces. In the Introduction, the motivation towards recycling in the USA is not very apparent. However, the USA is one of the largest industrialized countries, so that its impact on the environment cannot be ignored. Therefore, it is crucial for the development of recycling to raise awareness of people in the USA towards recycling. A part of this research is to provide more variety of residential types for designers in the USA by the exposing them to a Japanese method of reuse in the US culture. Process: In order to explore the possibility of Japanese method of recycling in terms of materials, buildings, and spaces this study took three steps: the Literature Review; the Case Studies; and, the Design Proposal. Firstly, the researcher focuses on a cross-cultural and historical research in the Literature Review to see the differences of approaches and motivation towards recycling in the USA and Japan. Secondly, the study proceeds to the Case Studies in order to expand the findings from the Literature Review of the Japanese concept of reusable space. Thirdly, the researcher undertakes a design approach in the Design Proposal chapter to create a design prototype that achieves a residential space. Findings: Through the studies in the Literature Review, the Case Studies, and the Design Proposal, it was found that there are some key elements to expand Japanese concept of reuse in the US culture to develop the concept of material reuse and resource saving. Those are: reuse of materials itself; reuse of building structures; reuse of interior spaces; the use of a modular; and the maintenance of flexibility and privacy.
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Details
- Title
- Adapting the Japanese legacy of space reuse to the design of the US residences
- Creators
- Abi Ito
- Contributors
- Catherine M. Bicknell (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Apparel, Merchandising, Design and Textiles, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; Pullman, Wash. :
- Identifiers
- 99900525094301842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis