Osaka

2012-12-29: Now that the hustle and bustle of Christmas Day has passed … it is time to relax and chill out during this quiet period … the week between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day … to think of loved ones and friends, at home and abroad … to extend warm Christmas Greetings to our many collaborators, clients and suppliers … and to look forward to the New Year of 2013 … a time, hopefully, for Transformation and Creative Re-Organization !

At first, this Japanese Print reminds me very much of the Cherry Blossom Walk in Osaka, and each year looking forward to Spring … but it also tells a story about people …

Colour image of a Japanese Print: 'Evening Cherry at Nakanocho in the Yoshiwara', dating from circa 1834-35, by the artist Hiroshige. Click to enlarge. — Colour image of a Japanese Print: ‘Evening Cherry at Nakanocho in the Yoshiwara‘, dating from circa 1834-35, by the artist Hiroshige. Click to enlarge.

… and then how, in a built environment which is becoming more and more complex, a diverse and healthy flora and fauna is an essential component of ‘person-centred’ design … and how, despite the wonder of electricity, it is important to remain intimately connected with the pattern of nature’s seasons, and the rhythm of day and night.

Merry Christmas – Auguri per un Luminoso 2013 – Çok Teşekkür Ediriz !

END

2012-12-04: How two Health and Safety Issues are handled at this Construction Site in Osaka, Japan … which, I regret to say, will be of small interest within Europe, where construction-related fatalities and injuries are far too high !

1. Control of vehicular access to, and egress from, the Site. Note the hosing down of the truck’s tyres before leaving, and entering back onto the public street. On this particular day, the volume of site traffic was high.

2. High visibility identification, and insulated protection of, overhead electric wires/cables.

Even before entering the Site … these are Very Good Indicators with regard to how Health and Safety at Work, generally, is managed …

Japan Industrial Safety & Health Association – Industrial Accidents (2010)