fixes

AF FIXES explores the notion of adaptability through the practical ways we tweak our surrounding environment. These often frugal, yet clever acts provide a platform to examine how our buildings, streets and neighbourhoods evolve over time in relationship to our dynamic human needs. What lessons can be drawn from these quotidian adaptations – what material patterns, functional classifications and connection types arise?

  • Roof Tile Planter

    Roof tile repurposed for apartment complex planter. I wonder if the tiles were saved from the houses that were …
  • Frugal Bird Feeder

    When combined with citrus, ashtrays, wire and gardening support rods form a system that fosters inter-species conviviality, and adds …
  • Commuter Relief

    Commuter Relief Tracks through the shrubbery that borders a newly constructed bus/taxi rotary in front of a suburban Tokyo train station …
  • Astroturf Garden

    Astroturf wired to trellis forms the start of a simple and functional green wall. The mix of fake grass, …
  • Storage/Display with String and Pegs

    Storage of gloves, dustpan and pegs, secured to string. For use at garbage collection and recycling point of low-rise …
  • Packing Strap Door Stopper

    A packing strap tied to the railing and looped around the doorknob helps a tired and irritated mother with …
  • Cactus Companion in Plastic Grills

    Cactus Companion in Plastic Grills A gigantic cactus in suburban Tokyo is supported-as-it-grows by block-by-block additions of plastic grills that are supported by metal …
  • Safety in Cans 02

    Ragged and potentially dangerous remains of public park boundary fencing are made safe for passers-by (especially wobbly cyclists and …
  • Rubbish Day Hook

    Hanging wire hook for putting out the rubbish for collection. Attached to the wall with bent wire hooked over …
  • Safety in Cans

    Safety in Cans Reinforcing rods for the concrete block wall of a new house are made safe for passing eyes with the …
  • Rubbish Bin Protection

    Rubbish Bin Protection A plastic grill tray halved and then fastened together with plastic twist ties (presumably) acts as a guard against …
  • Bricolage 01

    A hint from Claude Levi-Strauss: ‘The “bricoleur”…universe of instruments is closed and the rules of his game are always …
  • Wire Pot Plant Hangers

    Wire twisted into pot plant holders to decorate roadside residential fencing.
  • Archway in Duct Tape

    Crumbling entrance archway held together with duct tape.
  • Railway Sleeper Park Bench 2

    A railway sleeper positioned on top of two smaller pieces of wood forms an elegant and function bench in …
  • Railway Sleeper Park Bench 1

    A railway sleeper attached to two circular pieces of wood by a large building staple creates a simple, elegant …
  • Storing Cabbages/Drying Shoes

    Metal window ledge/safety railing provides ample space for both storing cabbages (they are much sweeter when stored outside) and …
  • Clothesline at the right height

    All apartments are fitted with built-in washing lines which are below the line of the railing. Unfortunately, these are …
  • Note on FIXES 001

    Note on FIXES 001 Quick, timely, inexpensive, disposable, plentiful, distinct, minimal, ambiguous, hopeful – these ‘fixes’ are ways of thinking and doing amongst …
  • Solar Lit Driveway

    Row of cheap solar lamps form driveway lighting when placed in drainpipe holders fastened to chainlink fence with wire.
  • Seating and Potplant Space

    The boundary of a driveway modified as a pot plant display area and seat for outdoor BBQs.
  • Tyre Bumpers

    Cut-off tyres guard against parking mishaps.
  • Streetside Net Storage

    Streetside storage for net used to hold community rubbish sacks on rubbish day.
  • Hand Made Shopping Map

    Hand made map showing shops and attractions in the center of Nagoya’s shopping district, Sakae. Various fonts, paper, and hand …
  • Hose Storage

    Functional adaption of park tree for maintenance equipment storage in a run-down apartment complex just off the high-fashion avenue …
  • Annotated Trolley

    Trolley underbelly provides space for instructions on its own use – in this case, for use only within the …
  • Cardboard Recycling Tower

    Cardboard box recycling tower constructed from salvaged metal rack and wood block for stabilization. Stool for reaching upper levels.
  • Library/Storage/Recycling

    Repurposed tv unit houses library of rescued reading material, and acts as storage space for cleaning tools and items …
  • Lunchtime Signage

    Signs advertising local restaurants lined up and stabilized over pedestrial railing. A system which also keeps them off the …
  • Display/Signalling Chair

    Chair used to signal location of store, and display products…as well as discouraging parking.
  • Dog Enclosure

    Dog Enclosure The dog has the run of the yard – kept in check with wire racks attached to the gate …
  • Privacy in Plastic Scraps

    Privacy in Corrugated Plastic Scraps Ground floor apartment balcony given privacy (for hanging out washing) through the arrangement of corrugated plastic scraps. From
  • Step-Up in Breeze Blocks

    Easy-access step created with breeze block and concrete. Aging societies need to think about and experiment with ways to …
  • Customized Gate

    No grass to stick a yard light in? Always wanted more of textured, opaque look for that front gate? This creative …