Architectural Cases

The innovative creation by designers Seyeon Park and Yejin Hong, known as Birddy, redefines the traditional playground swing by incorporating an ecological function. This ingenious design transforms a recreational item for children into a valuable resource for local bird populations, showcasing a thoughtful blend of play and environmental stewardship. The product's dual functionality aims to encourage young users to engage with nature in a meaningful way, fostering an early understanding of their connection to the natural world and the impact of their actions.

Birddy functions as a conventional rope swing for children, featuring a circular wooden seat meticulously designed for safety and comfort. Its size, comparable to a dinner plate, ensures young users can sit securely. The seat's slight inward curve prevents slipping, even during energetic swinging, while an adjustable handle accommodates children of varying heights. This attention to detail in its primary function ensures a safe and enjoyable experience for kids, making it a natural addition to any play area.

The unique aspect of Birddy lies in its hidden capability. During inclement weather, particularly rainy periods, the swing's seat can be inverted. This simple action converts the play equipment into a shallow bowl, ideal for collecting rainwater, which then serves as a drinking spot for small animals. Alternatively, it can hold birdseed, offering a feeding station for avian visitors. The conversion mechanism is straightforward, involving the removal of a small locking component to flip the seat, allowing for easy transition between play and feeding modes.

The name 'Birddy' itself, a portmanteau of 'bird' and 'buddy,' encapsulates the core philosophy behind the design: to be a companion to birds and other small creatures. This concept extends beyond mere utility; it is a pedagogical tool. The designers envision Birddy as a subtle educator, imparting lessons about interconnectedness with the environment and the power of small gestures to support wildlife, all without the formality of a classroom setting.

Furthermore, Birddy draws inspiration from 'Kkachibap,' an age-old Korean custom where a portion of harvested fruit is deliberately left on trees to sustain birds through winter. By adapting this tradition, the designers have modernized the principle of providing for nature within urban and suburban landscapes. This creative reinterpretation, which earned the Excellence Prize at the 2024 Kengo Kuma and Higashikawa KAGU Design Competition, highlights how everyday objects can embody profound cultural and ecological values.

Birddy's versatility allows for its installation in various communal spaces, including schools, public parks, apartment complexes, and nature education centers. It transcends the definition of a mere swing; it is a silent mentor, illustrating to children that nurturing the world can begin through the simple act of play. This innovative product serves as a testament to how thoughtful design can bridge the gap between human activities and ecological well-being, enriching both children's lives and the environment.

In the bustling urban landscape of Tokyo, a residential and workspace project by HOAA, named House in Nakano, ingeniously navigates the constraints of a tightly packed district. Spanning 96.38 square meters, the dwelling, which also serves as the architect’s own home and studio, was faced with the challenge of limited natural light due to surrounding structures. Overcoming this, the design introduces a distinctive elevated terrace, dubbed the 'Kazari Garden,' which gracefully extends outwards, capturing sunlight and offering expansive views to the interior spaces.

This innovative design transcends the typical boundaries of urban living by creating a dynamic interaction between the private residence and its public surroundings. The Kazari Garden, with its fluid, curved form, reaches towards the street, ensuring ample sunlight for thriving greenery and illuminating the dining area. This interaction naturally sparks conversations between residents tending to their plants and passersby, fostering a sense of community engagement. The house, through this design, transforms into a dynamic civic element—a spontaneous observation deck, a miniature park, or an elevated porch that seamlessly integrates with the urban fabric.

The interior architecture of the House in Nakano is thoughtfully structured with a split-level system, a response to the natural elevation changes of the site. Wooden finishes define the inner spaces, guiding views between the sunlit Kazari Garden and a more secluded Back Garden. This arrangement facilitates a continuous, spiral-like circulation that reorients daily routines and perspectives. Rather than concealing possessions, the design celebrates them; shelves lining pathways display an array of ceramics, books, photographs, and plants. These everyday objects are viewed as living archives, adding subtle texture and self-awareness to the home, akin to a continuously evolving art gallery.

Hiroyuki Oinuma, the architect, emphasizes the concept of 'Kazari,' which signifies ornamentation or decoration, as a crucial social and psychological link within the architectural context. The project challenges conventional notions that architectural embellishments are merely superficial. Instead, it posits that thoughtful decoration, particularly through the inclusion of living elements, can profoundly enrich the daily domestic experience in an urban setting, fostering well-being and connection.

Ultimately, House in Nakano stands as a testament to creative urban design, demonstrating how architectural ingenuity can transform perceived limitations into defining features that enhance both functionality and community interaction. Through its innovative use of a looping terrace and a thoughtfully designed interior, the residence offers a vibrant, engaging living and working environment within the dense urban fabric of Tokyo.