HAJIMARI ARCHITECTS Inc.

HAJIMARI Beppu is a mixed-use lodging facility located in Chiyo-machi, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture. It was created by repurposing and revitalizing a 46-year-old building that originally served as a liquor wholesaler's warehouse. Completed in 1977, the four-story reinforced concrete structure once served as the business hub for “Aburaya Shoten,” supporting the town's vitality. We at DABURA.m purchased this building as our own, reinforced it for earthquake resistance, and reborn it for a new purpose. A key feature of this project is our integrated approach, handling everything from planning and design to operation.

Perspective on Regenerating Towns and Existing Buildings

Amidst nationwide challenges of vacant houses and buildings in central districts due to population decline and changing urban structures, new ways to utilize existing buildings are being sought. HAJIMARI Beppu represents one approach to these urban challenges.

DABURA.m encountered this building by chance while searching for a new base for their activities. They undertook its regeneration to create a “place” where the town and people's activities intersect anew. Carefully interpreting the building's history and presence, they aimed to create a “place open to the town.”

Concept and Spatial Composition

The concept is “A Place of Beginnings: Encountering Beppu's Culture.” While inheriting the materials and memories from its former life as a warehouse, we overlay the functions and atmosphere needed today. The space is designed not just as lodging, but as a multi-layered “urban hub” integrating an architecture office and a place for community exchange. Valuing the layers of time accumulated in the town, it aims to be a place of beginnings where the local culture and visitors meet.

Design and Features by Space

The first floor houses the two-story “HAJIMARI LOUNGE,” “Café Yuami,” the pottery studio + shop “Umi to Jikan” connected to the town through glass, and the DABURA.m office. Memorable chairs, tableware, books, and art donated by townspeople blend together, creating a plaza-like atmosphere where people naturally gather. Seismic reinforcement braces were intentionally designed as mesh to avoid obstructing views, also serving as display surfaces for art and plants.

The guest rooms on the third and fourth floors utilize the owner's former residence. Equipped with kitchens, washing machines, and work desks, they accommodate long-term stays. Concrete walls and ceilings remain exposed, while walls featuring the texture of coniferous plywood are added as a new element, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of an artist's studio that evolves over time. Furthermore, each room features artworks specially created by artists based in Beppu and Oita, allowing guests to naturally engage with the local culture during their stay.

In terms of facilities, a new elevator was installed to accommodate wheelchair users. The exterior walls and roof underwent complete waterproofing and repainting, with thorough structural verification and repairs to deteriorated sections. Plumbing, drainage, and air conditioning systems were fully replaced, and fire safety equipment was upgraded to comply with current regulations. These improvements ensure decades of reliable use.

Approach to Planning, Operation, and Community Engagement

HAJIMARI Beppu serves as a “practical testing ground” where DABURA.m handles everything from planning and design to operations. Beyond lodging services, we actively develop diverse soft programs like art events in collaboration with the NPO BEPPU PROJECT, shop management, and talk events. We aim to be a multifaceted cultural hub that blends into the town's daily life, inviting both locals and tourists to drop by spontaneously.