ASD KonneKt | A Collaborative Hub for the Local Architecture & Design Community

-Location: Suburbs near the downtown area of Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, along a major regional road.
-Project type: New construction
-Use: A mixed-use facility incorporating architecture and interior-related showroom, café, co-working office, and a co-factory (a workspace shared among the member users)
-Size: Two-story / total floor area: 467 m² / site area: 909m²
-Completion date: May 2023
-Structural Type: Steel frame

ASD KonneKt in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, is a multi-use facility aimed at fostering communication within the architectural and design industries and between them and their clients. This two-story steel-framed building of 467m², with a showroom, café, co-working office, and co-factory, is designed to stimulate the local architectural community. The building's exterior resembles stacked marine containers, while its interior atmosphere is characterized by exposed steel frames that reflect a manufacturing vibe. Located on a major road with easy access, it consolidates multiple functions to overcome space and resource limitations for the local architecture-related businesses, allowing for cost-effective sharing of spaces for showrooms, meetings, and workshops. After its completion, the project has become a landmark in the neighborhood, offering a new hub for local architectural professionals to connect and collaborate, and it stands as a model of innovation for regional architecture.

The greatest challenge in the "ASD KonneKt" project was achieving the container-like appearance requested by the client. Adapting standard-sized steel panels to create a facade that mimicked shipping containers posed significant challenges in the face of the building regulations, construction practices, and the unique spatial configuration required for the project. The solution was to fabricate original steel panels, custom-bent to resemble the outer walls of containers, at a local ironworks. This approach allowed for the high degree of spatial flexibility demanded by the client while achieving the stacked container appearance. Additionally, by exposing the steel columns and beams inside and using industrial elements such as rugged steel staircases, steel-framed windows, and brick blocks, the design captured the "industrial, workshop-like atmosphere" the client desired. This method not only met the project's aesthetic requirements but also incorporated functional and accessible spaces, successfully creating a new community space in the region.

ASD KonneKt stands out as a distinctive project that introduces a fresh breeze into the neighborhood and local architectural industry of provincial regions in Japan. The 2-story mixed-use facility integrates a showroom, café, co-working office, and more, offering a gathering place for local small and medium-sized architecture and design-related businesses to inspire and stimulate each other while sharing the spatial and material resources in a cost-effective manner.
Its most visible feature is the combination of a container-like facade and industrial interior design, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a manufacturing site. The use of specially fabricated steel panels allowed for compliance with building regulations while achieving the desired appearance. The interior incorporates industrial elements such as exposed steel structures and rustic finishes, blending functionality with design. This project represents a significant contribution to the local community and a pioneering endeavor to expand the possibilities of architecture and design-related businesses in regional areas.