Penguin Environmental Design

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Cat’s Eye View of Japanese Architecture vol.1

15photo1215
Cat’s eye view is closer to the human view.

Architects often visualize objects through a “bird’s eye view”. But at PED, we try to use a “cat’s eye view”, instead. Why?

A view through “bird’s eye” is an image of space that you would never actually see as a human being. It would make you understand the total form of architecture, but if you never see it once built, what is the point of caring for it?

A “Cat’s eye view” is different. True, cats are not human, either. But when you were a small child, weren’t you excited about crawiling into small spaces and jumping upto the higher places? I did.

A “cat’s eye view” is an extention of human view that we tend to forget or not to notice once we are grown up. Architecture could and should help you to regain those interesting views. Japanese architecture and cities are full of such hidden instruments or tricks that allow you to have them. And at PED, we try to translate or develop them, hoping that our clients will have a sweet dream (or reality) of being on the roof. (Y)

P.S. For more information on the pedestrian human view of the environment, please read “Body, Space, and Technology- Part.1

Updated on April 5, 2022.

Blog

Cat’s Eye View of Japanese Architecture vol.1

15photo1215
Cat’s eye view is closer to the human view.

Architects often visualize objects through a “bird’s eye view”. But at PED, we try to use a “cat’s eye view”, instead. Why?

A view through “bird’s eye” is an image of space that you would never actually see as a human being. It would make you understand the total form of architecture, but if you never see it once built, what is the point of caring for it?

A “Cat’s eye view” is different. True, cats are not human, either. But when you were a small child, weren’t you excited about crawiling into small spaces and jumping upto the higher places? I did.

A “cat’s eye view” is an extention of human view that we tend to forget or not to notice once we are grown up. Architecture could and should help you to regain those interesting views. Japanese architecture and cities are full of such hidden instruments or tricks that allow you to have them. And at PED, we try to translate or develop them, hoping that our clients will have a sweet dream (or reality) of being on the roof. (Y)

P.S. For more information on the pedestrian human view of the environment, please read “Body, Space, and Technology- Part.1

Updated on April 5, 2022.

Japanese + Modern

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