Vacant/Centre is the base of Yusuke Nagai's Vacant, a complex of a gallery, atelier, shared studios, residence, dining and a library. The ideal environment was planned and designed by himself, drawing on the experience he gained from organising hundreds of cultural events across genres in his previous space in Harajuku between 2009 and 2019.

While utilising the unique potential of the long, narrow, vertically extending land, where a five-floor building and a two-floor Japanese house, both over 50 years old and with different atmospheres, are located next to each other, the entire space was renovated as a facility capable of handling various cultural contents. While allocating functions to each floor, careful consideration was given to the lines of flow in order to establish a relationship between the spaces and to ensure that the building as a whole resonates polyphonically.

For example, an artist-in-residence programme would enable artists to stay in the residence area while working in the atelier, then organizing an exhibition in the gallery accompanied by a special dinner gathering.

The gallery space on the ground floor, which will form the core of the facility, utilises the existing semi-subterranean structure, replacing the front wall with a full-opening sliding door, and having a plasterer finish everything from the new planters on the front of the building to the interior walls and floor, after careful consultation on colours and textures, creates an experience like diving into a cave that has opened up in the city. The naturally dyed curtain on the facade, that loosely divides the interior and the exterior of the space, symbolise the 'craft' spirit of the building, which changes day by day as it is exposed to sunlight and wind and rain.

The use of ready-made parts was avoided as much as possible, and details like the ceiling light covers and door knobs were originally designed, and vintage doors and solid materials were actively used. Other areas were created in collaboration with craftsmen throughout, but while these details are present, fixed fixtures were kept to a minimum to create a space with a margin that allows each person to continue to innovate the place.

In the city of Tokyo, where scrap-and-build is repeated, efficiency is emphasised, the cityscape is impoverished, and the creativity inherent in the people who live there is undermined. We must share the importance of culture, which underpins human life, and at the same time listen to the voice of nature. It is more important to find out how to put down the roots of aesthetics inside people, rather than ostentatious eco-friendly design. I would like to slowly nurture this place to create ripples from small changes in the daily lives of each and every one of us.