Koshimizu Town Disaster Prevention Base Complex Government Building "Watashino"
This is a community revitalization and disaster prevention base that was established in Koshimizu Town, Hokkaido, and is a community revitalization and disaster prevention base that has been working in collaboration with the public and public, with the aim of creating a lively and sustainable town by creating a place for people to live both in everyday life and in times of disaster.
In addition to the town hall functions, the town hall will be equipped with a cafe, laundry, fitness gym, community space, etc., transforming the town hall from a traditional "place you don't go to unless you have something to do" to a new "place you come to naturally." We aim to become a central facility where the town hall and residents can work together to revitalize the town while facing the challenges of depopulation and aging.
In the wake of the 2018 Hokkaido Eastern Iburi Earthquake, a plan was decided to rebuild the city hall, which was over 50 years old and had issues with aging and lack of earthquake resistance. Therefore, rather than simply rebuilding the building, we integrated the government office building, which will serve as a disaster prevention base, the central community center, which serves as an evacuation center and exchange base, and the health center, creating a lively atmosphere while also providing security and safety that will protect the townspeople in times of emergency. We planned a government building that would be a place of relaxation. In any case, we maintained administrative functions while maintaining a central base for disaster prevention and response, and provided a place for people to gather and interact in order to revitalize the local community.
In addition to the functions of the town hall, we combined the functions of a multipurpose space, a cafe, a fitness gym and studio, and a laundry to create a lively space that serves as an activity base for the town's residents. With the basic policy of multiple use of space, we have housed a variety of functions in a limited space, creating a ``diversity'' that allows everyone to gather, even though it is a public office, and makes you want to visit again and again and stay for a long time. In addition to ``everyday life'' and ``comfort,'' it is also a ``space that serves as a place for townspeople to hang out,'' with stimulating ``interactivity'' through interaction.
In addition, it is the first complex government building in Japan to incorporate a phase-free concept, making it a facility where the goods and services used on a daily basis can be used in emergencies.
The spatial concept design incorporated three elements that allow one to feel the nature of Koshimizu Town (light, earth, and wood). The building was decorated with materials that evoke the town's nature, such as clay walls that evoke agriculture, the town's core industry, wooden louvers made from larch grown in the town, and oak flooring that is a reference to the town's oak tree.
In addition to the spatial concept design and functional arrangement, we were also involved in naming and signage. In order to make this facility a "personal place" for each and every resident, we came up with the nickname "Watashi-no" and named it Koshimizu Town Disaster Prevention Base Complex Office (commonly known as Watashi-no). We also reflected the concept and the charm of Koshimizu Town in the VI and developed it into the logo and sign concept design to strengthen the image of the facility.
In addition, I was in charge of planning and operating the opening ceremony, providing classes on how to use the fitness gym and laundry, and sampling fries and coffee.As a highlight, I created a ``giant kusudama'' shaped like a potato, a specialty of Koshimizu Town, and published a book. The children of the town, who have grown up with the facility, celebrated the opening by breaking it. The ceremony was held with great success, with over 1,000 participants, including those from outside the town, representing about 1/4 of the town's population. Since then, the "giant kusudama" is still displayed at the entrance of the government building as a memory of the opening day celebrated by everyone.
- open
2023
- location
Hokkaido
- client
Koshimizu Town
- solution
Research, planning and basic concept, design, layout, sign and graphic concept design, content design and manufacturing, interior execution, public relations
- Award
Selected for the 58th Japan Sign concept design Awards/Regional concept design Award
"PHASE FREE AWARD 2024" Silver
"2024 Good concept design Award" Good concept design Award
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