Ebetsu Tsutaya Books / Hikohito Konishi / HIKOKONISHI ARCHITECTURE INC.

Ebetsu Tsutaya Books / Hikohito Konishi / HIKOKONISHI ARCHITECTURE INC. - Interior Photography, ShelvingEbetsu Tsutaya Books / Hikohito Konishi / HIKOKONISHI ARCHITECTURE INC. - Interior Photography, StairsEbetsu Tsutaya Books / Hikohito Konishi / HIKOKONISHI ARCHITECTURE INC. - Interior Photography, Dining room, Table, Chair, BeamEbetsu Tsutaya Books / Hikohito Konishi / HIKOKONISHI ARCHITECTURE INC. - Exterior Photography, FacadeEbetsu Tsutaya Books / Hikohito Konishi / HIKOKONISHI ARCHITECTURE INC. - More Images+ 36

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Ebetsu Tsutaya Books / Hikohito Konishi / HIKOKONISHI ARCHITECTURE INC. - Exterior Photography, Facade
© Nacasa & Partners Inc.

Text description provided by the architects. Tsutaya Books commissioned us to design the company’s twentieth store since its restructuring, located in the city of Ebetsu, Hokkaido. The site is adjacent to Ebetsu’s Four Seasons Promenade, a landscaped walking path, and faces a wooded area with many large trees. With a store concept of “a slow-life library in the woods,” our focus was on creating a comfortable space for customers to enjoy.

Ebetsu Tsutaya Books / Hikohito Konishi / HIKOKONISHI ARCHITECTURE INC. - Interior Photography, Living Room
© Nacasa & Partners Inc.
Ebetsu Tsutaya Books / Hikohito Konishi / HIKOKONISHI ARCHITECTURE INC. - Image 41 of 41
Floor Plan
Ebetsu Tsutaya Books / Hikohito Konishi / HIKOKONISHI ARCHITECTURE INC. - Interior Photography, Dining room, Table, Chair, Beam
© Nacasa & Partners Inc.

In order to reduce the volume of the 140-meter-long structure, we divided it into three blocks and five zones with a staggered layout. The blocks form a cohesive cluster of buildings whose trimmed-back scale is effective in attracting more people. The exterior is finished with bricks from three local companies, creating a strong contrast with the surrounding greenery. We expect the bricks to age beautifully, along with the extruded cement panels on the sides of the buildings.

Ebetsu Tsutaya Books / Hikohito Konishi / HIKOKONISHI ARCHITECTURE INC. - Interior Photography, Beam
© Nacasa & Partners Inc.

The three blocks are assigned the respective themes of Mind, Life, and Food, and their interiors are configured to offer framed views of the forest as well as a sense of unity. The locally produced bricks, concrete floors, exposed steel frames, and wood-and-steel furniture all contribute to the tranquil atmosphere inside, as does the lighting design.

Ebetsu Tsutaya Books / Hikohito Konishi / HIKOKONISHI ARCHITECTURE INC. - Interior Photography, Chair, Beam
© Nacasa & Partners Inc.
Ebetsu Tsutaya Books / Hikohito Konishi / HIKOKONISHI ARCHITECTURE INC. - Image 39 of 41
Elevation
Ebetsu Tsutaya Books / Hikohito Konishi / HIKOKONISHI ARCHITECTURE INC. - Exterior Photography, Brick, Facade
© Nacasa & Partners Inc.

The store hosts nearly 50 events every month and over 500 throughout the year, playing a role in the community that goes far beyond that of a typical public building. It is not only a commercial facility selling books, DVDs, and more, but also a place that strives to create and nurture local culture. This resonates with the commitment of the company’s founder to create places where people gather—and with our concept of a “slow life” bookstore in Hokkaido. 

Ebetsu Tsutaya Books / Hikohito Konishi / HIKOKONISHI ARCHITECTURE INC. - Exterior Photography
© Nacasa & Partners Inc.

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Project location

Address:14-1 Makibachō, Ebetsu, Hokkaido 067-0005, Japan

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Ebetsu Tsutaya Books / Hikohito Konishi / HIKOKONISHI ARCHITECTURE INC." 29 Aug 2020. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/946199/ebetsu-tsutaya-books-hikohito-konishi-hikokonishi-architecture-inc> ISSN 0719-8884

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