Abstract

The site was a small hill village in Kawanishi, a historic samurai hill village in west Japan. The project to site and build a protective shelter to endure severe snowfall housing young children waiting for the school bus. More than a bus shelter this became an activity centre. John’s contribution was substantial, including design site and construction decisions and ordering materials. The project included John filming interviews with the clients. John also appeared to win a ceremonial wrestling contest chosen to represent the Architectural Association, filmed by National Television. The project was written up in AA Files 41, Kawanishi Landscape Workshop 1996-99 by Shin Egashira. The bus shelter is in use and is serviced annually by Yasu Kawasaki.