- Gathering Around the “Long Thing” -

This space was once a typical government branch office—an ordinary workplace with desks and filing cabinets.

Yet in reality, it had long served as a quietly flexible, multi-purpose place that connected gently with the local community.Meeting tables became smartphone classes or stalls for selling local products.

The reception counter functioned as a “one-stop consultation desk.”The garage transformed into a venue for farmers' markets.

Focusing on this kind of informal repurposing, the project began with a simple question:Could spatial design further open up the soft boundaries between citizens and the local government?

Our design inspiration came from the European tradition of communal eating—a culture of gathering around long tables to share meals and conversations.We reimagined this landscape as a prototype for a new kind of public space.

At the heart of the space is the “Long Pergola Table”, a covered, monumental table installed as a symbolic centerpiece.

It became a platform for various shared activities—board games, discussions on parenting, local events, and more.

Taken outdoors, it connects seamlessly to the city, serving as a “third place” that extends public life beyond the walls.

Surrounding the Long Pergola Table, we crafted a suite of multi-functional furniture and fixtures using broadleaf timber from Hida, Gifu.Each piece was designed with rich textures and tactile quality in mind, encouraging creative use by its users.

The “Dandan Bench”, with tiered seating heights, comfortably accommodates a range of bodies — from children to seniors — and can double as a display platform during markets.

The “Battan Bench” is a foldable unit that works as a long bench when unfolded, or a raised platform or simple bed when folded—its rounded corners ensure safety.

The “Mobile Bulletin Board” shares administrative updates and local events but can also be used for citizen-generated content.The “Reception Table”, typically used for everyday inquiries, transforms into a checkout counter during events thanks to its lightweight and mobile design.

We also developed wooden “Chigiri Joint” connectors in S, B, and Y shapes—playful functional pieces inspired by the letters in SHIBUYA—to link tables and enrich spatial variety.

But it’s not just about the placement of things.Depending on the time, the number of people, and the activity,

furniture and tables can be reconfigured freely—accommodating both solitary calm and lively interaction in the same space.

In this open-ended setting, there is room for the ordinary rhythms of urban life to unfold.

This renewal is more than just an interior makeover—it marks a transformation into a community platform where architecture and operations evolve together.

Moments around the “Long Party” become the starting point for new encounters and collaborations, sketching new possibilities into the margins of the city.