Community Design Lab Mintopo

Our design division handled the design of this project, and our research division is handling its operation (together with Treq).

This is a community development hub located on the ground level of a station-front housing complex. It consists of two zones: one is a café, and the other is a lab space designed like a doma (unfloored areas in traditional Japanese houses that extend the outside indoors). Both zones allow people to pass through to the other side, and they feature a variety of openings, such as a takeout window, floor-to-ceiling glass doors, and fully unglazed openings.

We are hoping that people will find themselves casually participating in the community development programs when they stop by at the café or pass through while on a stroll.

Since being built, the facility has hosted various programs, including exhibitions and workshops focused on the Takenotsuka neighborhood. We are aiming to expand the reach of the community development programs through involving many people.