KOEDO KURARI

From a sake brewery that preserves sake to a facility where you can enjoy the space

In response to a request from Kawagoe City to "utilize the cultural heritage site that was preserved through a citizens' movement as a Tourism attraction where visitors can enjoy Kawagoe's local products," a public call for business operators and a planning competition was held.

Tanseisha's proposal to create a showcase-type commercial facility that would be enjoyed by Tourism and locals alike, offering one-stop shopping for products unique to Kawagoe, was well received, and Machizukuri Kawagoe, for which Tanseisha was in charge of planning, was selected as the operator, and the project began.

The storehouse is larger than usual, measuring 20m wide x 20m deep x 10m high, and can be enjoyed not only as a place to admire it, but also as a comfortable space to enjoy while eating and wandering around. The first challenge we faced was that the existing building was not suitable for the purpose.

In "Taisho Storehouse" local feast can be enjoyed.

In "Showa Storehouse" local vegetables and prepared dish are on sale.

Editing sales floors and creating spaces

Under current regulations, open flames would be used in an existing building that does not comply with the regulations, and air conditioning and ventilation would have to be installed in an unsealed, inefficient space, all while making adjustments without any clear legal precedent. Designers and Project Management staff worked together with the client to make adjustments and create a space that visitors can enjoy comfortably. In terms of spatial design, they readily accepted constraints such as "separating and visualizing the new structural materials used for reinforcement from the existing old structural materials," and by contrasting this with the modern look of the performance kitchen, they created a modern space that makes use of the worn texture of the cultural heritage.

Another feature of this project is that Tanseisha was in charge of "editing the sales floor" in one flow, from inviting stores and planning products and purchasing to design. By working closely with the designers at the planning stage to incorporate "sales floors" of different scales, such as sections, fixtures, and even single shelves, for product groups with different characteristics, sizes, and quantities, the result was a space where customers can enjoy shopping that makes the most of the characteristics of the products.

In "Meiji Storehouse" local products and souvenirs are on sale.

Bringing the charm of Kawagoe to a wider audience

The name of the facility, "Koedo Kurari," was decided through a public contest. Based on the decided name, Tanseisha is in charge of designing all aspects of the shop's identity, including the logo, applications (paper bags, price tags, banners), and website. The person in charge was selected through an in-house competition. Based on the concept of "Kawagoe, Tourism destination that is an extension of everyday life," the design incorporates a more modern, urban feel, making Koedo Kurari a familiar place for new customers, including locals.

Koedo Kurari is attracting visitors at a pace that exceeds expectations, with 500,000 expected in the first year. We have heard that not only Tourism but also local people living in Kawagoe are pleased with the event. For Kawagoe City, using the Designated Manager System has provided an opportunity to reexamine local products, and it has also become a good example of how the Designated Manager System can be used not only for cultural facilities but also for commercial facilities, and can be developed into a sustainable business that promotes regional development.