Supporting small towns in their big challenges. ｜Koshimizu Town Disaster Prevention Center Complex Government Building Watashino

This is a sudden question, but what kind of facility do you think this photo is from?

This is a newly reborn facility at the end of May 2023. Koshimizu town disaster prevention base complex government building “Watashino”.
In fact, it was born in Koshimizu, a small town in Hokkaido with a population of about 4,500 (as of November 2023). "New town hall" What is it?
This "Watashino" has other functions besides the office function. Coin laundry, fitness gym & studio, cafe and community space Such, A function that will update the town hall facilities from ``a place you don't go to unless you have something to do'' to ``a place you want to come to on a daily basis,'' making it a familiar and central part of the town. is attached.

The name ``Watashino'' embodies our desire for each town resident to freely enjoy and use the place as if it were ``their own'' place.

An organically shaped office counter inspired by a field spreading across Koshimizu.

A fitness gym with a studio and a bouldering wall where children can play

A coin laundry that cleans everything from sneakers to futons to dirt from farm work.

A cafe where you can enjoy menus unique to Koshimizu Town and a community space that anyone can use freely.

NOMURA Co., Ltd. was involved in the project from the basic planning stage, and was responsible for not only planning and spatial design, but also VI design, including facility naming and logos, and PR at the time of opening. We have teamed up with private companies to be involved in this project.

In this article, as a member of the project, I would like to give you an overview of this facility and the project.
Related article: Creating a town that promotes well-being: Creating community vitality and attachment through public-private collaboration

First of all, what is Koshimizu Town?

Koshimizu Town is located in the northeastern part of Hokkaido, facing the Sea of Okhotsk to the north, and is a town rich in nature with beautiful scenery of fields, the sea, and lakes.
Located between Abashiri and Shiretoko, it takes about 40 minutes by car from Memanbetsu Airport. Not only the natural scenery but also the access is good.

 

In addition, Koshimizu Town is blessed with a rich natural environment centered on Lake Tofutsu, a wetland registered under the Ramsar Convention, and you can encounter a variety of wild birds throughout the year. There are over 300 species, which is said to be about half of the wild birds that can be seen in Japan.
In winter, drift ice comes close to the shore, so you can experience ``walking on the sea'' while enjoying the spectacular view.

Not only small birds, but also Steller's sea eagles and red-crowned cranes.

The specialty product is potatoes.
In fact, when Calbee potato chips were released in 1975, they were manufactured at a factory in Koshimizu Town and shipped all over the country. For this reason, Koshimizu Town is also known as the birthplace of Calbee potato chips.

Personally, every time I visited through this project, I fell in love with the scenery of Koshimizu Town, colored by the green of the potato fields and the brown of the wheat fields, accented by the gentle slope.

The impetus for starting the new government building construction project

Originally, government buildings were facilities that many residents used on a daily basis.
In the event of a disaster, this location serves as an important base for operations as a disaster response headquarters.
During the 2018 Hokkaido Eastern Iburi Earthquake, Koshimizu Town, which is far from the epicenter, suffered no damage from the earthquake, but the damage to the Tomato Atsuma Power Plant caused a power outage for the entire town for more than 40 hours. There was significant damage.

Former Koshimizu Town Hall during blackout

There is also the issue of aging facilities, which were completed over 50 years ago.
Disaster prevention base The government building that will become Shelter We aim to integrate the central community center, which is a central community center, and create lively interaction, relaxation, and health in the daily lives of town residents. community hub We aim to become "Disaster prevention base type complex government building" Construction plans for a new government building with this characteristic have begun.

Left) Former Koshimizu Town Hall Right) Former Central Community Center

Basic project requirements and design philosophy

In this new government building plan,
① Formation of a disaster prevention base (securing a disaster response headquarters and administrative functions, preparing a space as an evacuation center, securing lifelines, etc.)
② Community revitalization (development of central community center, health center, lively space including regional traffic measures, etc.)
③Creating a space that is friendly and easy to visit (providing one-stop service, providing easy-to-use counters and flow lines, securing a waiting space, etc.)
④ Reducing construction costs and being environmentally friendly through integrated maintenance (reducing construction costs by reducing the area of common areas, reducing running costs and CO2 emissions by introducing energy-saving equipment that utilizes hot spring heat, etc.)
​⑤Regeneration as a central base facility
was considered a basic requirement.

Based on these basic requirements, the design concept is
“A nodal point for urban development that you can walk around”
"A compact government complex that connects with the city"
"My usual place where townspeople gather"
was put up.

In addition, there are multiple open spaces outside, and the building is surrounded by lush greenery with green infrastructure based on Okhotsk's vegetation, making it a government building befitting Koshimizu, the city of flowers and wild birds.The building is currently undergoing construction. Masu.

The first public office in Japan! Obtained “phase-free certification”

As a facility that has two major roles: ``disaster prevention base'' and ``local community revitalization''.
Watashino has obtained "Phase Free Certification".
For example, disaster prevention shelters are useful in emergencies, but I think it is rare for them to be used in daily life. ``Phase-free'' is a new way of thinking about disaster prevention, in which the things and services we use all the time can be used in emergencies.

Reference: Phase Free Association, General Incorporated Association

For example, in the case of Watashino, the fitness gym and studio where everyone from children to adults can enjoy exercising can be used as a safe and warm evacuation area during power outages by providing showers and underfloor heating that utilizes hot spring heat in the event of a disaster, and a cafe. and community spaces can be used as soup kitchen spaces.
In addition, laundries provide comfortable and high-quality daily laundry, and in the event of a disaster, they serve as a place to wash clothes using water storage and emergency power, helping to maintain a sanitary environment.
In this way, Watashino has a system in place that ensures the safety and security of the town's residents even in the event of an emergency.

Naming and VI design

The name ``Watashino'' reflects our wish that ``While it is everyone's place, we want it to be a place where each town resident can exercise their independence and use it as their own place.''
The logo design also incorporates plenty of elements unique to Koshimizu Town.

Spatial design unique to Koshimizu Town

The space design focuses on the earth-colored staircase ``Watashino-oka'', which was inspired by the rich land of Koshimizu.
Extensive use of wood from Hokkaido is used to incorporate earth, trees, greenery, sky, and the Koshimizu landscape into the interior, and VI (visual identity) is applied to even the smallest details of the design.
Inside the variable space, which can be used as a personal place or a place for everyone to gather, there are many places where each person can spend a fulfilling time, and if you take a walk around the building as if walking through the land of Koshimizu Town, you will find your favorite place. can now be found.

There are also hidden playful designs and tricks, such as the various types of bird objects found in Koshimizu dotted around the building, and the creation of pendant lights shaped like potato chips.
By focusing on the charm of the area that is hard to notice when living in this facility, we hope that not only people outside the town but also people within the town will become more proud of and love Koshimizu Town. I think.

“Public-public collaboration” as one team

This project is a collaboration between Koshimizu Town and various private companies, including us.
One great thing was that we were able to move forward with the project as a single team.
I hold monthly regular meetings and participate in sporting events while traveling between Tokyo and Hokkaido.
By planning and promoting a lively space with a lively team,
All of the members consider Koshimizu Town to be their hometown, and it is not the end of their creation.
I think this has fostered a desire to continue being involved with Watashino and Koshimizu Town even after opening.

↑Watashino team participated in the sports event "SEA TO SUMMIT" sponsored by Montbell held in Koshimizu Town

Project related companies/organizations and roles

Opening ceremony

At the opening ceremony, which was planned and managed by NOMURA Co., Ltd., the centerpiece was a ``Giant Potato Kusudama'' made in the shape of a potato, a specialty of Koshimizu Town, which was given to the children of the town who will grow up with the facility. We celebrated our opening by receiving one.

In addition, we held classes on how to use the fitness gym and laundry, and held tastings of french fries and coffee, which resulted in over 1,000 people (approximately 1/4 of the town's population at the time) including those from outside the town. We had a great time and received many kind words from people both inside and outside the town.
In addition, the "Giant Potato Kusudama" can be displayed at the entrance of the government building as a memory of the opening day celebrated by everyone.

　

　

　

Finally: Current situation

A few months after opening, I went to see how the space is currently being used.

In the community space, people of all ages gather, working, studying, chatting, reading, eating, and doing whatever you can imagine. The scene was widespread.

The fitness gym is very popular for its machines and studio lessons. The laundry was also mostly in use.
I was happy to see that there were a lot of people outside the fitness gym even in the evening.

Koshimizu Town's disaster prevention center complex government building "Watashino".
We are very much looking forward to this facility, which we have been involved with, becoming a base for creating the future of Koshimizu Town.

Completion photo © 2023 Nacása & Partners Inc.