this is a repost!  interesting view of the japanese on empty space and how similar the transformation of a room corresponds to our own pinoy sensibilities on fluidity and flexibility of spaces in the bahay kubo setup. the argument is trivial (it’s almost the same banana) but i respect the idea.

I received an interesting note in response to yesterday’s post about living with a traditional Japanese futon. The author of the note, Ko Nakatsu, took exception to my oversimplified blog-ready description of why futons are folded and put away, and wanted to set the record straight in greater detail (which should be of great interest to architects and designers of environments):

The futon’s fold-away function is not [just] for “freeing up useable square footage in a space-tight country”. That notion is merely a benefit from the true meaning and original philosophy of a futon. The true reason for the fold-and-store-away function is so that you can create an “empty space”.By creating an empty-space, it allows for limitless potential of reasons for the room’s existence. It could become a tea room, dinner room, bedroom, entertainment room… the empty room creates “potential” to be any room. Traditional rooms in Japan (which are becoming rare) often have nothing that is permanent, even the “walls” or fusuma, slide away to create a larger expansive empty-space. The people, wall, furniture, and artwork, enter and then leave the room, to return it to empty-space, full of potential….

This philosophy can often be seen in many parts of the country, from objects to culture, to even an international company like Muji (“Mu” meaning “empty” or “absence” with a hint of “tranquility” and “potential”. That would be the closest translation in English. )

Nakatsu then provided a link to the following video of designer Kenya Hara (you probably know Hara’s work from Muji or Haptic) giving a presentation at Google headquarters on “the meaning of Mu, or emptiness…. He doesn’t talk about the futon exactly but that object still embodies the philosophies of Japan that he talks about.”

(Warning for those of you at work: The vid is nearly an hour.)

here is an interior that used stainless steel for its walls and other industrial materials. carlo reckons it’s a bit too cold but i kinda like it.  maybe a bit of accents in red would elevate it from its LOST rabbit hole look.  reposted from Dezeen.com: Apartment in Moscow by Peter Kostelov August 11th, 2009

Russian architect Peter Kostelov has refurbished an apartment in Moscow using industrial materials.

The project involved dividing a studio apartment to create separate spaces.

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i recently posted a reblog on black walls.  ive already mentioned i painted my bedroom wall in the province a color grey.  most people were shocked by the idea but were pleased upon seeing the actual wall.  i mixed a cool platinum grey paint batch and gave the rest to my sister (who also then painted her bedroom wall grey).  im still looking for a wall treatment on the opposite side of my room.  maybe a glossy formica black wall or a black and white brocade as wall paper (at p1,400 per yard at larry’s, it’s pretty damn expensive), black slate tiles or a textured paint job.  anyway, here are a few other interesting grey wall options you might wanna do in your house.  reposting from apartment therapy: Look! Gray Bedrooms

OMG. this office is awesome. looking out into nature and staying in a climate controlled environment. epic win.  houses should also be this sensitive to natural landscapes.  we tend to forget there’s more to our world than us.