Renovation of the former Hokkaido Government Office Building (Red Brick Building)

The former Hokkaido Government Office Building (commonly known as the Red Brick Building, completed in 1888) is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property and a representative historical building of Hokkaido. To commemorate the 150th anniversary of Hokkaido's naming, a large-scale renovation project was planned, and it was reborn as a "hub for disseminating information about Hokkaido's history, culture, and tourism to both domestic and international audiences."
In this project, our company was responsible for various surveys to consider the preservation and utilization of the Red Brick Government Building, the basic concept for its renewal, displays design, and construction displays.

Understanding and preserving the "value of the Red Brick Government Building as an Important Cultural Property"
-displays designed to enhance its appeal as one of Hokkaido's leading tourist spots, allowing all visitors, regardless of age or nationality, to learn about and enjoy Hokkaido.
-displays that collaborates with various locations throughout Hokkaido, becoming a source of information that attracts people from all over Hokkaido and generating the driving force to invite people to visit all parts of the prefecture.
 

We have received the above request.

○ concept design that shows respect for architecture
We considered the "architecture" itself, which conveys the architectural techniques, concept design, and historical and cultural aspects of the time of its construction, including politics and industry, as the main focus of displays, and took care to allow visitors to fully appreciate the charm of the architecture. By deliberately concept design newly installed elements in a modern style, we highlighted the contrast with the historical building and created an impressive impression of the Red Brick Government Building taking on a new role and living in the next era.

○Diverse themes and unique spaces
This exhibition showcases the charms of the Red Brick Government Building and Hokkaido from a variety of perspectives. Rooms are assigned to each theme—architecture, Ainu culture, Hokkaido's heritage, and all 179 municipalities—with distinct displays concepts and concept design for unique spaces and experiences. The aim is to create an enjoyable experience of exploring the building, with surprises and discoveries to be found with every visit.
 

〇Topics and displays methods that stimulate curiosity
We devised displays that would draw attention to the history, culture, and municipalities of Hokkaido. This included a diary written by the Governor of Hokkaido, a floor map densely covered with Ainu place names, dynamic videos of Ainu dance, miniature sculptures representing approximately 100 Hokkaido heritage sites, displays shelves showcasing all 179 municipalities in the prefecture, and a Hokkaido-themed darts game. The aim was to stimulate curiosity through engaging subjects and techniques that encourage visitors to get closer, examine the exhibits carefully, and engage with the exhibits.

○Communication from various perspectives
Taking into account the trends of the times, displays re-examines history and the region from a contemporary perspective, while also incorporating a mechanism in which the people of Hokkaido become the communicators. Municipalities throughout Hokkaido, those who protect and pass on Hokkaido's heritage, and those who have carried on Ainu culture for three generations are participating in displays. This diversity of perspectives and communicators is expected to remove visitors' preconceptions and assumptions about Hokkaido, deepen their interest, and encourage them to travel to various parts of the prefecture.

We have been able to implement displays design that incorporates rich ideas and extensive experience that the government alone would not have come up with, and this has been well-received by many visitors.