Two municipal buildings were planned to be renovated to become the integral facilities for revitalizing the central area of Tokamachi City of Niigata prefecture. Here the realm of a building design is extended to include facilitation of activities that could nurture the local community, to be capable of their own curated events. The catalyst of such development must be the local residents, not us. JAA as a medium, effacing self is a crucial factor of the design process, set the goal for how to design the course of incorporating the building into the fabrication and context of the city and the locals, after the construction is completed.
A room with glass façade was rented, just couple minute of walk from the site. It was originally intended to become a JAA branch office, however, the room called Bunshitsu, started to operate as a bunshitsu (satellite) of the city office, working groups, civilian activities, and many other forms. Once construction started, Bunshitsu was transferred to the station at site, where continued to host those activities.
The two completed buildings are Bunjiro, the city’s communication center, and Jujiro, the activity center. All the actions having been taken place in Bunshitsu, are now integrated into the functions of the two.
The “margin” between the street, meant for transportation, and the buildings, fully manageable, is proposed to be the spatial model for the revitalization of the city center. Either by adding extensions or by removing the structure, the semi-outside space full of light is created where there is no fixed scope for the usage of the area.

September 29th 2016
Jun Aoki and Associates + Tokamachi Machinaka Stage Oendan received
GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2016 BEST 100 for the activity of Bunshitu and Tokamachi Machinaka Stage Oendan