0 yen house - Kyohei Sakaguchi

"can you live for zero yen?" i asked.
"yes,of course. because there is many treasures in Tokyo"
"treasures?" i can't understand.
"yes. i get all money from the street." he said.
"i want to know how to live for zero yen. please tell me."
"sure. please come in. let's drink at first."

sustainability and homelessness are popular words today - both issues waiting to be supported or solved. but the Japanese has found a solution...zero yen houses. Kyohei Sakaguchi is a documentor of portable houses belonging to the homeless. the innovative architecture draws the use of recycled materials and rubbish, thus the name "zero yen house." these zero yen houses are found on the streets of Tokyo, under bridges and even on public stairways. the focus of Sakaguchi's photos are on the architectural aspects and practicality of the houses, not of the "homeless" people themselves. the homes are often mobile and easily collapsible because it is illegal to build permanent structures on public land.

i went to an exhibition of Sakaguchi's work at the Vancouver Museum. in the centre of the exhibit was a replica model of a zero yen house built by a former camera engineer that he saw on banks of Sumida River in central Tokyo. the little house was even complete with solar panels! on the walls, Sakaguchi blueprints the architectural aspects of the dwelling. these houses are not like camping tents where one can only rest and sleep in, but they are complete with electricity and water! by recylcing unwanted "junk", the street dwellers of Japan has demonstrated what real sustainable living is.

where you can learn more about "0 yen house" and other works of Kyohei Sakaguchi: http://www.0yenhouse.com/en/index.html

- cup of red