Disaster Response Japan Project #7712

Build Back Better Tohoku

by Architecture for Humanity

Project Report | Feb 6, 2013
Tohoku Reconstruction Update: February 2013

By Yuko Okamura | Design Fellow

Tohoku Newsletter Banner January 2013

Hello,

2013 has quickly kicked off, and our projects are moving along! Kitakami "We Are One" Collaborative officially opened last month, Maeami-hama Community house is scheduled for completion in the next few weeks, and we have welcomed many into MakiBiz with seminars and consultations. Read updates below for a glimpse of what's been happening.

February brings three holidays commonly celebrated in Japan (only one is a national holiday).

Feb. 3rd - Setsubun (beginning of Spring)

Although this is not a national holiday, it is celebrated by many nationwide. This event occurs one day before spring, according to the Japanese Lunar Calendar and is now most commonly celebrated with the ritual of throwing roasted beans around the house and at temples and shrines yelling "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" This scares out the evil spirits from entering, and keeps happiness inside.

Feb. 11 - Kenkoku kinenbi (National Foundation Day)

On this day in 600 BC, the first Japanese emperor was crowned. This is the only national holiday in this month. However, celebrations of this day are relatively muted since expressions of nationalism are rare.

Feb. 14 - Valentine's Day
In Japan, this day is celebrated slightly differently where only women give chocolates to men. Men return this gift a month later, on "White Day" (March 14).

The coldest month of the year has passed, and we can look forward to a slight rise in temperatures as we move into February. This coming month, two of our staff will be heading to Tohoku. Look forward to reports from them when they return.

Stay warm and take care!

Best,
Architecture for Humanity

*As always, we hope you enjoy seeing where your support has taken this program, and our doors are always open for feedback.

UPDATES

MakiBiz

Our first regional office in Japan, MakiBiz has been up and running since the end of November. Our staff has been providing business support for many clients, and have completed hosting our series of 6 MAKOTO Business Seminars, over a period of 3 months. The seminars were attended by many in the community, with high satisfaction. Look forward to new seminars to come.

Kitakami "We Are One" Market and Youth Center (completed)

Construction has been completed and the center officially opened its doors on January 23rd! With the center open, several programs have already been scheduled to take place in the new building. See images and a more detailed report here.

Maeami-hama Community House (in construction)

Construction is still moving along. Most of the building was assembled in a matter of weeks and the building is targeted for completion at the end of February.

Again, frequent construction updates on this project can be found on KMDW (the architect of record)'s facebook page (in Japanese only). We will also be providing periodically summarized updates from these posts here, so stay tuned (our most recent post found here)!

EVENTS

3.11 Anniversary

The two-year anniversary of the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami is coming up. We will be launching a campaign to commemorate this event in support of the people in Tohoku who are still working to recover and rebuild. Stay tuned.

TOHOKU PROJECT STATUS REPORT

In Progress
Shizugawa Fishermen's Workspace "Banya" - CA 98%
Maeami-hama Community House - CA 70%

Completed
Kitakami "We Are One" Market and Youth Center - completed Dec/2012
Akahama Covered Alley - Completed Jul/2012
Oshika House - Women's Collaborative - Completed Jul/2012
Paper Crane Sculpture - Completed Jan/2012
Shizugawa Judo Juku - Completed Dec/2011
Ohya Green Sports Park - Completed Dec/2011
Hikado Marketplace - Completed Jul/2011

CA Construction Administration ; CD Construction Documents ; DD Design Development ; SD Schematic Design ; PD Pre-Design - About the Phases

Links:

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Nov 21, 2012
Special Update: Japan matching campaign extended!

By Yuko Okamura | Intern

Great news! Global Giving's Japan Matching Campaign has been extended until November 30 11:59pm EST, so there's still time to have your donations doubled!

Again, during this campaign all donations will be doubled (matched 100% by Global Giving). Please take this limited opportunity to double your donation in helping Architecture for Humanity Build Back Better Tohoku!

There are also bonus dollars of $1000 for the project that has the most unique amount of donors, so please help us spread the word - tell your friends, family, and colleagues, make phone calls, send emails, post on facebook, tweet on twitter, etc. Here are some sample tweets:

Donations DOUBLED (matched 100%) for a limited time! Help @archforhumanity #BuildBackBetter #Tohoku by donating today! https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/build-back-better-tohoku/
Don't miss this chance to DOUBLE your donation & help @archforhumanity help #Tohoku #BuildBackBetter! https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/build-back-better-tohoku/ Spread the word!
8 days left to DOUBLE your donation! #Tohoku still needs your help. Help @archforhumanity help #Tohoku. Donate today! https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/build-back-better-tohoku/

Any amount is greatly appreciated, as it helps us ensure that we continue helping Tohoku Build Back Better.

A huge heartfelt thank you to everyone who has donated so far. We have been able to raise nearly 2,500 dollars so far with your generous support.

Recent updates on projects include:

Shizugawa Banya
Project near completion
Kitakami "We Are One" Market and Youth Center
Using a unique method of construction called the "Itakura method," the pre-assembled boards were slotted between posts to form the perimeter of the building. In only a few short days, the youth center has really begun to take shape!
Maeami-hama Community House
We officially broke ground on November 4th with members of the Maeami community, KMDW, and Architecture for Humanity staff. Construction hs begun, panels have arrived to the site, and column panels have begun to be assembled.

These projects would not have been possible without your generous donation. We cannot stress enough how much your donations mean to our program and hope for your continued interest and support!

Best Regards,
Architecture for Humanity

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Nov 7, 2012
Special Update: Limited time to double donations!

By Yuko Okamura | Intern

Hello!

The Japan Matching Campaign ends in just a few short days! Please help us by donating now to double your donation in helping Architecture for Humanity with our efforts to Build Back Better Tohoku!

Again, all donations will be doubled (matched 100% by Global Giving) until November 15 11:59pm EST or until matching funds run out. This means that if you donate $25, another $25 will donated to us by Global Giving. Please take this special opportunity to double your impact during this limited time!

Please also help us spread the word - tell your friends, family, and colleagues, make phone calls, send emails, post on facebook, tweet on twitter, etc. Here are some sample tweets:

Donations DOUBLED (matched 100%) for a limited time! Help @archforhumanity #BuildBackBetter #Tohoku by donating today! https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/build-back-better-tohoku/
Don't miss this chance to DOUBLE your donation & help @archforhumanity help #Tohoku #BuildBackBetter! https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/build-back-better-tohoku/ Spread the word!
8 days left to DOUBLE your donation! #Tohoku still needs your help. Help @archforhumanity help #Tohoku. Donate today! https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/build-back-better-tohoku/

You can share it in a fun way too! One idea is to host a donation dinner party, where you have a computer set up to have friends give donations on the spot!

Any amount is greatly appreciated, as it helps us ensure that we continue helping Tohoku Build Back Better.

Because Architecture for Humanity is often one of the last responders in the event of a disaster, our activities are now ramping up!

With your generous support, we have been able to work on a number of projects in the Tohoku region. These have been specifically focused in the areas of Economic Development, Access to Sports, and Education and Welfare. To date, we have designed and constructed 7 projects, are currently constructing 3 more (check our here for more info), and have many more to come! Recent updates on current projects include:

Kitakami "We Are One" market and youth center Ridge-pole Raising Ceremony on October 15
Maeami Hama Community House: Foundation prepared for concrete pour
Shizugawa Banya: Project near completion

We are also very excited to announce that we will open our first regional office in Japan in just two weeks; a business support center for affected small and medium enterprises to aid in the development of a new and sustainable economic system in the Tohoku region. Please follow our updates, posted on our Architecture for Humanity Tohoku page.

These projects would not have been possible without your generous donation. We would like to sincerely thank you again.

We cannot stress enough how much your donations mean to our program and hope for your continued interest and support!

Best Regards,
Architecture for Humanity

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