Art-Based Community Space for Age-Friendly Cities Wellbeing and Care through a Revitalized Art and Creative Studio in Nabari, Ja

Project idea

This project began with the question:Can a long-abandoned dry-cleaning shop, once beloved by the community, be revitalized into a space for art and care?Facing the challenges of an aging and shrinking population, this initiative aimed to transform a vacant property into a community-based art studio—where people of all ages can engage in creative activities, exchange ideas, and rediscover the joy of making things together.Inspired by the values of inclusiveness, wellbeing, and cultural regeneration, the project envisions a new kind of "public living room" for the town.
The initiative was guided under the supervision of Prof. Rui Fukumoto, as part of ongoing research on inclusive community design.

Project description

The project is real project and consists of repurposing an old shop into Machino Zukōshitsu (“Art and Creative Studio”)—a creative community space in Nabari City, Japan.
It includes the physical renovation of the building (wall repairs, ceiling removal, lighting updates) and the creation of an activity platform involving residents in participatory workshops.
The space now hosts community-led art activities, intergenerational dialogue, and wellbeing-focused creative practices. It has become a place where local people can not only make things but also build connections and care.
This project is part of a research-based initiative led by Professor Rui Fukumoto at Nagaoka Institute of Design (NID), Japan.

Technical information

The renovation involved structural repair and interior adaptation of an abandoned wooden-frame building over 100 years old.
The ceiling was removed to create vertical openness, with exposed wooden beams preserved to highlight the building’s material memory.
Furniture (tables, shelves) was custom-built by the project team. The wall was reconstructed using moisture-resistant material, and lighting was redesigned for soft spatial illumination.
No major extensions or additions were made; the transformation was achieved through minimal intervention and maximum community involvement.