Kawarayu Onsen Playground NOA / Kawarayu Onsen Station Campsite

This project is one of the initiatives aimed at helping residents of the areas to be submerged by the construction of the Yamba Dam to rebuild their lives and find meaning in life. Our company was responsible for the basic planning, schematic design, working drawings, supervision, and consulting services supporting the local operating company for the "community development facilities" in the "Kawarayu district" and "Yokokabe district" of the area for approximately six years.
The Kawarayu area is a tourist destination with Kawarayu Onsen, a hot spring resort with a history spanning over 800 years, and is adjacent to JR Kawarayu Onsen Station. From the perspective of location characteristics, scenery, and project scale, we proposed a project combining a station-front area with a campsite, BBQ facilities, and hot spring baths. While listening to the opinions of the local residents, Naganohara Town, and Gunma Prefecture, we comprehensively planned and produced the project, from establishing and supporting a local operating body to attracting a cooperating company for campsite operation, consulting on the business plan, design, layout the facilities.
The facility is divided by the JR Agatsuma Line, with the upper level being "Kawarayu Onsen Asobi no Kichi NOA," which has a cafe and hot springs, and the lower level being "Kawarayu Onsen Station Campground," which has a plaza where you can enjoy BBQ and bonfires, a wood-fired bath, a tent sauna, and canoeing and kayaking on the dam lake.

[Social Issues/Customer Issues/Requests]
[Business] It was necessary to unravel what it means to rebuild lives and create a purpose in life for local residents. Through repeated discussions with everyone, we found issues that aim to revitalize the area, such as coexistence with the hot spring town, promotion of local employment, especially for young people, and promotion of a U-turn of the outflowing population.
In addition, it was requested that the facility be differentiated from facilities planned in other districts and similar facilities, and to have the ability to attract customers and originality.

[concept design Aspects] The client requested concept design that would attract passersby with a unique local style, taking into consideration the bridge used by tourists visiting the dam and visibility from the busy opposite bank, as well as creating a facility that is easy to operate by harmonizing multiple uses (hot springs, restaurants, rest areas, observation deck, tenant spaces, conference rooms, etc.).

【solution】
[Business] The Yanba Dam project took 70 years from planning to completion, but there are arguments for and against the construction of the dam, and many residents have moved out. What I did was propose a multi-view, bird's-eye view business plan. Hearing various business ideas desired by local residents, making proposals for their feasibility, making adjustments for non-competition with companies in the surrounding area, and taking into account the differentiation of each facility, We aimed for a project that emphasized the character of the district.

[concept design Aspects] The design is based on the "Agatsuma River," which is the origin of the place name of the former Kawarayu area. As concept design progressed, we received feedback from local residents that it resembled "a boat floating on the water carrying the region," and we created a distinctive building that symbolizes both concepts. In the interior space, we planned gently curving circulation routes and ramps that integrate various functions, in line with the long, narrow shape running east to west, creating a user-friendly space with good circulation.

<Our project members>
[Sales & Project Management] Satoshi Arai, Hitomi Yamamoto
[Planning & Consulting] Kenichi Sakazume, Yuki Shimokuni
[design, layout] NAU: Eiji Kirioka, Nana Kosano