Researcher

POSITION

ASIBA is also a “practical think tank” centered on incubation and design research. Since many of our members are enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs in fields such as architecture and design, and each project tackles highly unique and innovative questions, we are constantly accumulating insights that could be published as academic papers. However, the reality is that we have not been able to set aside the time needed for this.

Therefore, we are recruiting individuals with expertise and interest in various fields to form a team that will advance projects collaboratively while also writing academic papers and reports.

RESEARCH THEMES

Examples of Collaboration with Researchers

We are advancing the following project in collaboration with Rintaro Nakajo, a doctoral student in the Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies at the University of Tokyo.

・Conceptualization of Creative Entrepreneurship

・Introduction to Urban Design from the Perspective of Living Organisms

・Measuring the effectiveness of community-building workshops using the “Memory Camera”

• Methods for Co-Creating the “Clean” Concept
• The Intersection of Ecology and Architectural/Urban Design — An Interview with Mr. Katano of veig
• Rapid Prototyping: An Essential Skill in the AI Era—An Interview with Mr. Nakajo
• What Is AI Design That Unlocks Human Creativity?

Creating the Concept of Creative Entrepreneurship

To promote and spread the concept of “Creative Entrepreneurship,” ASIBA engages in activities such as writing essays, organizing workshops and talk events, and sharing insights through a series of interviews and podcasts.

• Towards Creative Entrepreneurship,

Designing the Future of Fire-Resistant Technology

This is a collaborative project between the Fire Protection and Fire-Resistant Technology Group at the Shimizu Corporation Technical Research Institute and ASIBA to redefine “fire protection and fire-resistant technology” with an eye toward 2050.Going beyond traditional functional technologies designed to protect buildings from fire, we have explored new roles for these technologies in future society, such as the safe use of wood in a decarbonized society and ensuring the resilience of aging buildings. We are currently considering the next phase of this project.

Practical Research on Reuse-Based Urban Development in the Takashimadaira Housing Complex

In Takashimadaira, ASIBA, ReLink (ASIBA PROJECT LABEL), and the Itabashi Ward Takashimadaira Community Development Promotion Division are collaborating to implement community development initiatives centered on reuse and upcycling.The Takashimadaira Housing Complex, completed in the 1970s, is scheduled for phased redevelopment due to the aging of its buildings. ASIBA and ReLink are working to create a community-rooted, smaller-scale, and more personal form of circular economy, starting with the upcycling of materials from the demolition of Takashima Seventh Elementary School and the “building-under” ceremony.This paper examines how such initiatives fit into the historical trends of community development and explores their potential. We will also submit community development proposals to the ward office and UR.

• Through a collaboration between Itabashi Ward, ReLink, and ASIBA, we are launching the Takashimadaira Upcycling Project!

Measuring the Effectiveness of “Maki-Competitions” as a Community Revitalization Method

Machi Asobi Lab, a general incorporated association affiliated with ASIBA PROJECT LABEL, organizes “Maki Competitions” across Japan, including the “Culvert Shopping Street” near Komagome Station.Unlike traditional competitions confined to specific professional fields, “Maki Competitions” are open to the public and involve local residents, aiming to engage local stakeholders in the process all the way through to the implementation of ideas. This approach fosters a sense of ownership among local residents and a sense of responsibility among young people, creating a catalyst for sustainable community revitalization.We will measure the effectiveness of “Maki-Conpe” as a method for community revitalization and publish our findings in an academic paper.

• Ankyō Shopping District U35 Practical Idea Competition
• Anchiku Shopping District U35 Practical Idea Competition (Idea Discussion)

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Community Development Workshop Using the “Camera of Memories”

At ASIBA, we are promoting a project aimed at creating an “intersubjective digital twin”—a database that collects residents’ memories and emotions and can be referenced in urban planning and community development.The “Memory Camera” is a dedicated web app developed as part of this project; by recording voice memos of memories and emotions associated with a location while taking a photo, it archives that data on a map and generates a virtual community radio station. We will conduct a series of activities related to this intersubjective digital twin, including tool development, evaluating the effectiveness of workshops, and publishing research papers.

• Tokyo Futurescape Studio #02 “Suido Road × Community Radio” at Sasahata Hatsu: Event Report

Financing Methods for the Creative Sector

While the creative sector excels at building cultural capital with high temporal durability, it is ill-suited for generating short-term profits or achieving explosive growth, and existing financing methods are often inadequate.Drawing on the social impact sector—which faces similar challenges—we aim to extensively research and experiment with financing methods that can appropriately support the growth of creative projects, and to publish our findings.

• An Adventure in Finance

Preparation of the ASIBA Impact Report

We plan to create the “ASIBA Impact Report,” which will quantitatively evaluate the social impact of each project affiliated with ASIBA and ASIBA PROJECT LABEL. We would appreciate the cooperation of anyone with expertise in impact assessment or systemic change.

In addition, ASIBA will continue to promote collaboration with researchers on themes other than those mentioned above. If you have any research themes you would like to pursue in collaboration with ASIBA, please feel free to contact us.

REQUIREMENTS