(Background and Purpose) Micro public space, termed by Atelier Bow-Wow, refers to the social platform devices that enhance community activities. Atelier Bow-Wow explores the concept of micro public space as a social space that brings people together a...
(Background and Purpose) Micro public space, termed by Atelier Bow-Wow, refers to the social platform devices that enhance community activities. Atelier Bow-Wow explores the concept of micro public space as a social space that brings people together and encourages social interactions through participation in international art festivals. Micro public space, an experimental project based on “behaviorist architecture” proposes a creative approach to public space where people converge and take part spontaneously, sharing local customs and behaviors. This study aims to shed light on the strategic characteristics and utilization of Atelier Bow-Wow's micro public space as a sustainable public space model, which develops the potential of social space by combining Japan-ness with urban locality. (Method) The process of the study is as follows. First, it addresses spacial temporality from the intrinsic point of view of Japanese tradition. Secondly, it clarifies the concept of “spacial practice” from the book 『The Production of Space』 by Henri Lefebvre which relates to the everyday life and methodology of behaviorist architecture dealing with relevance among human/nature/built environment. Thirdly, it examines the concept of micro public space based on spacial practice and behaviorist architecture, and discusses ‘moblie micro architecture’ and ‘public arts platform’ as types of micro public space. Fourthly, it analyses the projects of micro public space that Atelier Bow-Wow has participated in domestic and international exhibitions. (Results) As the result of the study, the strategic characteristics of micro public space as a social space are summarized as follows: 1) It is a social space temporarily constructed by the sensitivity to nature and places based on the architectural temporality of Japan as a strategy to support multipurpose use of urban spaces and daily life and strengthen social interchange. 2) It is a social space where space-generated contents are accumulated based on the continuity of regional lifestyle as a strategy to foster local cultural activities with empathy and solidarity. 3) It is a social space of convergence that generates public interaction by adjusting daily rhythms based on the fluidity of urban life as a strategy to construct a culture of mutual understanding and cooperation among local members. (Conclusions) The practical use of micro public spaces as social spaces depends on the spatial practice of everyday life involving urban interactions. This study is meaningful in suggesting theory and practice for micro public space as a sustainable public space model that increases social interchanges in urban spaces and revitalizes regions.