The first town hall to receive this award! Koshimizu Town Disaster Prevention Complex "Watashino" wins the Silver "PHASE FREE AWARD 2024"

Evaluated as a model case of "phase-free public facilities leading to regional revitalization and improved resilience"

    
NOMURA Co.,Ltd., which is participating as a collaborating company in the Koshimizu Town Disaster Prevention Base Type Multi-Purpose Government Building "Watashino," has received the Silver award at the "PHASE FREE AWARD 2024" (organized by the Phase Free Association).
"Watashino" is a community revitalization and disaster prevention hub that aims to create a place for people to gather in everyday life and during disasters, thereby revitalizing the town and promoting sustainable urban development, through a public-private partnership.
Our company participated as a partner company, handling area planning, spatial/VI concept design, and opening PR.

The following seven companies are participating as collaborating organizations/companies.

NPO Groundwork Koshimizu
Renaissance Co., Ltd.
OKULAB Co., Ltd.
Atelier Bunku Co., Ltd.
NOMURA Co.,Ltd. Co., Ltd.
Calorie Co., Ltd.
E-Base Solutions Co., Ltd.
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The Koshimizu Town Disaster Prevention Complex "Watashino," a public-private partnership project in the town of Koshimizu, Hokkaido, has been awarded the Silver prize in the "PHASE FREE AWARD 2024" (sponsored by the Phase Free Association). This is the first time that a town hall building has received this award.
"Watashino" aims to revitalize the town and create a sustainable community by creating a place for people to stay both in everyday life and in times of disaster. It is the first Phase-Free certified multi-functional facility in Japan located next to a town hall.

"Phase-free" is the idea that things and services around us can be free from the phases (social states) of "everyday" and "emergency," and can be useful not only in everyday life but also in emergencies. This award aims to realize a society where people can live in peace and prosperity without being affected by disasters, and one Gold, Silver, and Bronze award will be given to products that are recognized as having particularly high phase-free characteristics in the business and idea categories.

"Watashino" was born in the wake of the blackout caused by the Hokkaido Eastern Iburi Earthquake in 2018, with the idea that it was more important than ever to create a disaster-resistant town where residents could live safely and securely. Incorporating the concept of "phase-free," the town hall building is equipped with functions that enrich daily life and bring people together (community space, cafe/laundry/fitness gym & studio). In the event of a disaster, it becomes a disaster prevention base and can be used as a soup kitchen, laundry, shower, and rest area.

The award was given to the facility on two points: versatility and effectiveness. The facility was praised for its Silver rating for "compared to a typical town hall, it is equipped with a variety of facilities that are highly useful to the townspeople, and its structure, which allows it to be used on a regular basis while also being a place to evacuate in an emergency, enhances its effectiveness," and "Making public facilities phase-free can be highly evaluated as a model case that leads to regional revitalization and improved resilience."

Using this award as an opportunity, we will work to further revitalize "Watashino" and revitalize the community, thereby contributing to solving social issues such as depopulation and an aging population.

Phase-free support for "Watashino"
Phase-free concept
Facilities that are used on a daily basis will serve as temporary evacuation sites and disaster response headquarters in the event of an emergency. The fitness gym and studio will accommodate evacuees, the community space and cafe will serve food, and the laundry's emergency water and power supply will be used to maintain hygiene by washing clothes. In addition, underfloor heating using hot spring heat will keep you warm in the unlikely event of a power outage. Their usual places will reduce the stress and burden of evacuation life for evacuees, ensuring their safety and security.
 

Evaluation points for the Phase-Free Award *This is an excerpt from the organizer's evaluation. Please see the official website for details.
Compared to typical town halls, it incorporates various functions that are highly valuable to residents, and has received high marks for its "ability to impact daily quality of life" and "functional concept design," as well as for its "emotional concept design" with a simple exterior and a calm space where people can linger.
The building has a system in place that allows it to be used on a daily basis while also serving as a place of refuge in emergencies. Functions necessary in daily life, such as laundry, cooking, exercise, and relaxation, which become even more crucial in emergencies, are all located within the building, making it a highly versatile space used by many residents across generations.
 

Future Initiatives
On October 27, 2024, Watashino will conduct a disaster prevention simulation in Japan's first Phase-Free certified government building with the participation of townspeople. Assuming an earthquake occurs, the entire building will be cut off from power and water at the same time to verify Phase-Free response. For more details, please see the announcement scheduled to be made in mid-October.
 

List of affiliated companies and roles