Welcome Spatial Design Laboratory!

In the Spatial Design Laboratory, we conduct research on design across various scales and methodologies, including region, city, architecture, and landscape. Without being bound by scale or approach, we aim to interrelate these fields through spatial theories, analytical methodologies, and the development of techniques, as well as by setting specific themes for target spaces.

Using spatial information technologies, we examine physical spaces such as spatial forms and signage information, psychological spaces perceived differently by individuals (such as beautiful, desirable, or easy-to-understand), and spaces as experienced through human activities like walking, cycling, or other modes of transport. Based on these findings, we propose designs for universal design, safe and attractive cities, and the preservation and conservation of civil engineering heritage and landscapes.

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. Environmental Design

Environmental Design is about designing relationships. Even if each element is well designed, combining them does not always guarantee a good space. While individual elements certainly create wonderful spaces, our research explores the theories that produce and manage the relationships among these elements and between them and ourselves.

. GIS System

Our research methods primarily utilize information theory and technologies. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are systems and technologies that overlay and relate various spatial data. From abstract representations, to the spaces we perceive, to practical maps and plans directly connected to construction, and even to virtual worlds that aim to be indistinguishable from reality—we use these tools to describe, analyze, and consider spatial phenomena.

. Spatial of the "Human"

Spatial Design is a discipline centered on human existence. It is based on the concept that space does not exist without people. We study "things" with form and fragrance, "mind" involving thoughts and feelings, and "movement" through behavior and physiological phenomena, in order to contribute to planning and design in environmental design and to propose ideas based on our findings.

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Research Field

City Planning

■ Sensation, Perception, and Cognition

It is the study on plan and design of a city, the area where we live in. I suggest space that is more livable, and is easy to be active, and is easy to play and is easy to take a rest.

Landscape

■ Landscape design and Evaluation technique

We will explore unprecedented theories, methodologies, techniques and ideas, and planning and design proposals based on the idea of landscape, simply put, from the standpoint of people and animals rather than from an overhead perspective.

World heritage site, Civil engineering heritage

■ Record of a design and culture

I investigate a theory and the methodology that are not known so far necessary to keep modern social structure in good condition, and to develop it. I perform an investigation, the analysis for various world heritages, Civil engineering heritages.

Universal design

■ Spatial design theory

It is the study for techniques for the design which is kind to all “human”. It is the ordinary world that varies in all people, each one and is the study of the design to be universal, and to live.

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Academic Society

Research results are mainly presented at the following conferences:

• ・Japan Society of Civil Engineers
• ・Architectural Institute of Japan
• ・The City Planning Institute of Japan
• ・Japanese Society for the Science of Design
• ・Association of Geographic Information
• ・Japan Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
• ・The Illuminating Engineering Institute of Japan
• ・GEOMATE
• ・The European Regional Science Association
• ・Japan Geoscience Union
• ・Computational Urban Planning and Urban Management