‘From Micro to Monument’ is a research project exploring Kyosho Jutaku residential architecture in Tokyo. This research will inform our work on transforming Perrott’s Folly, a grade II* listed 18th Century Folly Tower in Birmingham, into an arts residence and gallery space. The Folly poses design challenges due to its great height (96ft), but small width (3 meters in diameter)
We secured funding from the Daiwa foundation to travel to Tokyo in November 2018 to view, learn and experience Kyosho Jutaku architecture through visiting sites and talking to the people that make, design and live in them. We held meetings with prominent and emerging artists, architects and designers, travelling through- and taking in the architecture from Asakusa to Shinjuku.
Based Guest House Denchi for the duration of our stay we used the first-floor gallery as a workshop for our thoughts and to ruminate upon our research. The following themes emerged from our discussions and became the anchor for our understanding of Kyosho Jutaku and the handling of small spaces; Light | Lifespan | Void | In-between | Movement | Materials | Soft Division | Privacy . We hald a small exhibition to present and share our thoughts with all those that took part in the project and the wider public;
We also created digital notebook (started in Japan, and continuing indefinitely) through which we continue to share and explore our research, making and exploring connections.
With warm thanks to the following architects, artists and academics for agreeing to meet us for interview:
With huge thanks to the Daiwa Foundation for supporting this project.
