UPLIFT SHIMOJYUKU + MILKBREW COFFEE URESHIO ONSEN

This project site is on a section of the plaza in front of the newly established “Ureshino Onsen Station” in Ureshino City, Saga Prefecture, following the extension of the Shinkansen (bullet train) line. To ensure visibility from all directions within the plaza, the design features a volume resembling a cube.

This project had a completion date set to coincide with the opening of Ureshino Onsen Station. However, due to the increase in construction costs and the instability of material distribution during the COVID-19 pandemic, we needed to reconsider using system architecture typically applied to factories and warehouses. The system architecture allows for standardized building materials, providing more stable costs and delivery times, and is suitable for creating large, column-free spaces.The client wished for “a welcoming atmosphere where not only tourists but also locals can gather, and for the building to feel like an extension of the area’s daily life.” Therefore, we aimed to create a space that could accommodate people, goods, and activities by retaining a large, column-free area reminiscent of a factory. We also chose a floor plan and exterior wall composition that allows for a sense of openness and views of the surrounding scenery, making it a building that faces the plaza.

The building is centered around “MILKBREW COFFEE,” a café operated by the client who runs a dairy farm in the area. It includes retail spaces for various local food products, laboratory facilities for product development and processing, and a kitchen for serving food made with regional agricultural products. Additionally, it was planned with the intention of hosting events like markets, allowing various producers to engage with the space.

Inside, the simple square floor plan features a central volume housing the café, kitchen, display, and laboratory functions, allowing circulation around it. By customizing the lower parts of the exterior walls on all four sides with glass windows, we created a connection with the surrounding grass plaza, enabling market activities and providing a pleasant view for indoor users taking a break. Additionally, by unifying the core volume, furnishings, and structural steel in light green, we aimed to create a softness and cohesiveness that blends with the environment.