A Small Commercial Facility for Enjoying "Eating, Working, and Relaxing".

This project is one that we, as an architectural design office, have planned and are managing after acquiring the land and building ourselves. Hiroshima is where we were born and raised and where we have carried out our activities. As architects, we wanted to give back to the city in some way, and we initiated this project with the desire to create a cultural foundation and engage in continuous activities. Rather than creating something entirely new, we chose renovation to preserve the familiar aspects of the existing landscape and reinterpret them, creating a newness that carries the passage of time.

A few years ago, we acquired an old building in Nekoya-cho, near Peace Memorial Park. As architects, we wanted to design an office space that would allow us to remain healthy both mentally and physically and continue to maintain a creative sense. Our office should be a place where we can truly feel excited and energised, a place that we can create, grow, and enjoy. With this in mind, we began planning a mixed-use commercial facility and office space that would combine the cultures of Hiroshima and Tokyo, aiming to become a crossroads where 'eating, work, and play' intersect.

The renovation can be compared to Aikido. Rather than fighting against the building's unique characteristics, such as the structural elements that did not go as planned and the design that might be considered noisy, we wanted to embrace and utilise them. By doing so, we hoped to update this building and its relationship with the city into a new space. We accepted the ageing effects caused by rust and completely transformed the building's exterior by removing the existing tiles and applying a metal coating. The first floor, designed as a dining area, features the original window frames transformed into benches, with external spaces such as the garage and rooftop also designed to serve as seating areas. The communal areas were left largely unchanged, with the existing middle sash windows repurposed as lighting fixtures, a sign plan using the entrance light, and original lighting created from FRP as modern lanterns. These thoughtful design elements were incorporated throughout.

The sauna is located on the top floor, with a newly created opening to allow for a courtyard that provides a sense of the outside. visitors can gaze at the starry sky – creating a primal experience where the outside air and natural elements are felt even while inside the building. We also planned a gallery on the second floor, which can be rented for events, welcoming many people and allowing for flexible use.

Rather than waiting for requests, we aim to explore our own way of working and the future role of design offices. The small commercial facility, 'Nekoya-cho Building,' is a playground created by people and the city, and it is also an ever-evolving space for experimentation.