A project to renovate a 80-year-old traditional Japanese house as a craft beer brewery called “Whale Brewing”. Yobuko, which once prospered as a whaling base. However, the town has been facing challenges such as a declining population and an increase in vacant houses. This project was initiated with the desire of the client to revitalize the town in the face of these conditions. We decided to incorporate the strong characteristics this building possesses into the new brewery. We aimed to create a space where the new establishment and the street in front of it would feel connected.

Firstly, the creative and functional point is it combines the new functions of the brewery with the existing frame, creating a new atmosphere and rooted in the local. After serving as both a shop and residence for many years, the house for the site had become vacant, suffering from issues like leaks and deterioration. In addition to this, the interior structure needed reinforcement, as well as repair for the roof and exterior walls. On the other hand, after the interior was dismantled, a powerful structure with a maximum height of approximately 9 meters emerged. The original functionality of the old house brought creative innovation to the project, allowing for the spatial expression of the client's philosophy.

Architecturally, the building features a bar space toward the façade side, while a portion of the brewing area utilizes an atrium to create an impressive void. Furthermore, the façade, including the atrium section, is glass, while still showcasing the impressive wooden framework towards the street, evoking a brewery-like atmosphere.

One of the innovative parts is that it exemplifies how design can have an impact on the development of regions in Japan that increasingly rely on suburban commercial establishments, by revitalizing them with local character. According to some estimates, half of Japan's current municipalities will cease to exist by 2040, which is expected to result in the loss of needy residents and a decline in public safety due to the generation of vacant houses. In this situation, we believe that new types of businesses and services original to the region will provide an opportunity to prevent further population outflow.

Lastly, about sustainability.
In Japan, the number of empty houses is increasing due to the declining birthrate and aging population, and the towns themselves are rapidly aging and depopulating. Therefore, amongst aims for sustainable urban development, the reconstruction and revitalization of street, which are a central part of the local community, has a social and cultural role. In these conditions, the combined sustainable philosophy of the client team, who wanted to bring prosperity back to the city, resulted in increased brand value. Part of the proceeds is donated to local activities to maintain the streetscape, connecting and giving back to the future of the area and encouraging ethical consumption in the long term.