On December 2022, 12, ``1 BUILDING'', a fusion of food and entertainment, will open in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture. It is managed by "Zero-Ten", a creative group that comprehensively produces art and entertainment events in Fukuoka. A variety of attractive entertainment will be gathered here, including a world-famous chef's first restaurant in Japan, an immersive theater produced by New York's coolest night spot "THE BOX," and a bar run by a world-class bartender. Although the full story has not yet been revealed, we will reveal some of it.

Created by brain groups in NY and Fukuoka
Unprecedented, innovative architecture

In the city of Hakata, which is undergoing redevelopment, many crane trucks are currently lined up for work. When you look at Canal City Hakata from the bridge over the Naka River, your eyes will be drawn to a strangely shaped building under construction that looks as if it is floating in the air among the surrounding buildings. This building is ``2022 BUILDING'' (Zero Ichi Zero Building), which will open on December 12, 1, with the theme of entertainment and food. This place is filled with mechanisms never before seen in Japan and the sensibilities of people who fascinate the world.

``I've always wanted to someday develop world-class entertainment originating from Fukuoka,'' says Jiro Enomoto, CEO of Zero Ten. Until now, it was large facilities like large malls that had an impact on the city.

However, he says, ``I think we are now in an era where even one small restaurant can have a huge impact.''

This seemingly unconventional building was designed by Masayuki Sono, co-director of Clouds Architecture Office, an up-and-coming New York architect.

Clouds Ao is known for its flexible ideas, and its proposed work "MARS ICE HOME" won first prize in the 2015 design competition "3D Printed Habitat Challenge" sponsored by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration). Along with this, his new lifestyle and worldview have been highly praised.

Jiro Enomoto, the representative of Zero Ten, commissioned the design from Clouds Ao, an old friend of Sono's unit.

“MASA (Masayuki Sono) and I were drinking buddies when we lived in New York.The building we are planning this time is simple, but we want it to be a symbolic building that conveys a new sense of values, something that has never been seen before. I asked MASA, who designed the 911/XNUMX Memorial in New York, to create a design that was as original and innovative as I wanted. "He gave it to me," Enomoto recalls.

Appeared on the streets of Hakata
A building that looks like an object floating in the air

I spoke with Masayuki Sono, who was in Japan this summer to check on the construction progress.

``The area where the building we are planning this time is a chaotic area with the Naka River flowing nearby and neighborhoods with various faces, such as Nakasu, Canal City Hakata, and the Haruyoshi district, which has many hidden restaurants, Mr. Enomoto said. I was fascinated by the chaotic nature of the area, and I wanted to create a building that would be a whirlpool of energy in the center of it, and I imagined a spiral design facing the river. Because of its location in a quiet alley, it can be seen from various directions and from far away. Therefore, we sought an entertaining design that changes its appearance depending on the viewing angle, and there is no front or back, but everything is on the front. I designed it with that in mind."

Instead of New York-based Clouds Ao, two companies, Takumi Nakahara Architects and NKS2 Architects, both of which have offices in Fukuoka, were in charge of on-site coordination and construction in Fukuoka. be.

According to Takumi Nakahara, ``This building is special, like haute couture clothing.For that reason, we cannot use ready-made materials or ideas.In order to lead to something closer to the image, It was not easy to convey Mr. Enomoto's and Mr. Sono's thoughts and images to the worksite in an easy-to-understand manner, even though we sometimes clashed with the professionalism of the craftsmen. My sense of responsibility allowed me to complete the project beautifully."

A special feeling that can only be experienced here.

This time, the construction period was greatly affected by the spread of coronavirus infection. It appears that the company faced greater difficulties than usual due to difficulties in procuring materials, resulting in increased costs and delays in delivery. Enomoto's desire to ``use the power of Fukuoka to bring entertainment that has never existed in Japan to the world from Fukuoka'' never wavered, and his dream continued to expand. Enomoto's high energy moves many people's hearts, so let's do our best for him! It probably makes you feel that way.

In fact, the essence of this project's theme is the fusion of Fukuoka and international sensibilities. The architectural design will be by New York's Claus Ao x Fukuoka's Takumi Nakahara Architects and NKS2 Architects, and the entertainment will be brought in from America by the creative team behind New York's coolest night spot "THE BOX," as well as restaurants and bars. It is said that famous chefs and bartenders who are highly acclaimed around the world will appear as tenants.

I am curious about the truth behind the new symbol that will be born in the city of Hakata. I would like to pay attention to the details that will be gradually revealed in the future. Please look forward to the next report.

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