Saiki creation HUB

Oita
showroom workspace workshop
Renovation
2024.12
820.84㎡

大分県佐伯市は豊かな森林と沿岸の自然環境の中、江戸時代以前から製材業、木にまつわる産業(みかん、椎茸、和蝋、和紙)漁業、造船業が盛んであり、現在も生産量日本一位の産業が多数ある。

施主である(株)マツオカは1955年創業で、建築用木材、造船資材を取り扱ってきた。立地は番匠川(番匠＝最高峰の大工の意)沿いの木材団地の一角で、造船エリアと隣接し、佐伯の主工業である林業と造船業・漁業との懸橋を担っている。

広大な工場の一角の材木保管倉庫を改修する形で、十分な基盤を持つ佐伯のモノづくりの力を発信するHUBを設計する。木材買付所、木工作業の工房、ワークショップスタジオ、カフェ、イベント・ワーキングスペースを持ち、工場見学の起点の役割も果たす。

HUBの運営方針、集客についても施主と話し合いを重ね、使い方も含め設計に織込み、賑わいを絶やさない仕組みを創る。またこのプロジェクトをモデルケースとし、隣接の他の業種の工場等にも展開し、拠点を増やすことで、街全体の活性化を図ることを目的とする。

Saiki City in Oita Prefecture (KYUSHU) boasts abundant forests and a coastal environment, with thriving industries such as lumber, wood-related products (mandarins, shiitake mushrooms, Japanese wax, Japanese paper), fishing, and shipbuilding dating back to before the Edo period. Many of these industries still hold the top production positions in Japan today.

The client, Matsuoaka Co. Ltd, established in 1955, has been dealing in construction timber and shipbuilding materials. Located in a corner of the lumber complex along the Bansho River (where “Banjyo” signifies the highest-ranked carpenter), it adjoins the shipbuilding area, serving as a vital link between Saiki’s main industries of forestry, shipbuilding, and fishing.

By renovating a section of the vast factory’s lumber storage warehouse, this HUB will be designed to showcase Saiki’s strong manufacturing capabilities. It will feature areas for lumber procurement, woodworking workshops, a workshop studio, café, event space, and also serve as the starting point for factory tours.

Discussions with the client regarding Hub management strategies and attracting customers will continue, with these considerations being integrated into the design, including usage, to create a mechanism that ensures vibrancy. Furthermore, this project aims to serve as a model case, expanding to other factories in neighboring industries to increase hubs and revitalize the city as a whole.