丘のまち交流館 ビ・エール
BIEI Community Facility "bi.yell"
「トップライトをもつ大屋根」は、北方圏の柔らかな自然光を室内に導き、水平ルーバーで拡散した光は、刻々と変化する光の領域をつくる。「既存鉄骨フレーム」に貫入し、ルーバーを介さず大屋根と直結する「筒状の空間」は、2階に必要な機能を与え、各プログラムと空間をゆるやかに分節しつつ、相互の多様な繋がりを生む。その一部は中空になっていて、2階床を貫通し1階ギャラリーに自然光を導いている。1階にたつ「自立する石壁」は、構造的に独立したもので、既存躯体に荷重をかけることなく「既存鉄骨フレーム」の内外に立ち上がっている。美瑛町の原風景のひとつである石蔵の空間体験とその記憶を受け継ぎながら、まちとの新たな関係をつくる。
このように、この建築は、「既存鉄骨フレーム」「トップライトをもつ大屋根」「自立する石壁」「筒状の空間」の4つの自律した構成要素の重ね合わせによってつくられている。しかし、部分が無機的に併置されるのではなく、全体が自律した部分の有機的な纏まりとして成立し、多様な空間の表情の中に部分から全体を感じさせること、さらに、利用者の活動やまちの景観と豊かな関係を築き、建物の向こう側に新たな世界の広がりを期待させ、人々の想像力を刺激する空間の奥行きのようなものをつくることを意図した。
共同設計:小澤丈夫 菊池規雄
写真:No.01~51 阿野太一
A building that formerly housed a supermarket has been transformed into a communal space that centers around childcare services and artistic activities. The community of Biei needed an alternative form of public space that allows people from different generations and backgrounds to freely engage in various activities and interact with each other. The preexisting building had two stories along with a partial underground floor; the first floor was used for commercial purposes, while the second floor was used as residence. The building was supported by a generic steel framing system. Yet interestingly, the height of each story differed significantly, allowing the first floor to be transformed into an open public space and the second floor to be used as a semi-public space for locals.
Complying with recent changes in the building codes, a canopy covering the entire preexisting structure was constructed to reduce the snow load on the old steel framing. This new structure allowed the programmatic conversion of the building to take place and became the core feature of the renovation. The alleviation of the snow load and removal of the preexisting roof increased the seismic capacity of the steel framing drastically. In the interior, we added new “cylindrical spaces” on the second floor and “freestanding stone walls” made from recycled Biei soft stone on the first floor, turning the generic space into a comfortable platform for various activities.
The skylights on the canopy bring the gentle northern sunlight into the building, and the horizontal louvers spread the light, creating a dynamic luminous region that changes over time. The “cylindrical spaces” that intersect with the steel framing lack the louvers and join directly with the canopy. These spaces provide the necessary functions for the second floor and subtly organize the different programs while preserving a sense of interconnectedness between them. Some parts of the “cylindrical spaces” have openings that allow natural light to come into the gallery space on the first floor. The “freestanding stone walls” located on the first floor are structurally independent from the steel framing. Maneuvering in and out of the original structure, these walls protect and express the spatial experience of the traditional stone warehouses of Biei while engendering a new form of relationship with the community.
This building was essentially created by superimposing four central features: the canopy, the steel framing, the “cylindrical spaces,” and the “freestanding stone walls.” Instead of simply putting these together, the features were intricately merged to generate a coherent whole. Despite the wide diversity of programs and atmosphere, each space somehow alludes to the entirety of the building. In addition, the building connects the people’s activities with the townscape and suggests a new world that spreads beyond the building’s confines, stimulating the creative minds of the community.
Collaborator: Takeo OZAWA, Norio KIKUCHI
photo credit : No.01~51 DAICI ANO
丘のまち交流館 ビ・エール
BIEI Community Facility "bi.yell"
「トップライトをもつ大屋根」は、北方圏の柔らかな自然光を室内に導き、水平ルーバーで拡散した光は、刻々と変化する光の領域をつくる。「既存鉄骨フレーム」に貫入し、ルーバーを介さず大屋根と直結する「筒状の空間」は、2階に必要な機能を与え、各プログラムと空間をゆるやかに分節しつつ、相互の多様な繋がりを生む。その一部は中空になっていて、2階床を貫通し1階ギャラリーに自然光を導いている。1階にたつ「自立する石壁」は、構造的に独立したもので、既存躯体に荷重をかけることなく「既存鉄骨フレーム」の内外に立ち上がっている。美瑛町の原風景のひとつである石蔵の空間体験とその記憶を受け継ぎながら、まちとの新たな関係をつくる。
このように、この建築は、「既存鉄骨フレーム」「トップライトをもつ大屋根」「自立する石壁」「筒状の空間」の4つの自律した構成要素の重ね合わせによってつくられている。しかし、部分が無機的に併置されるのではなく、全体が自律した部分の有機的な纏まりとして成立し、多様な空間の表情の中に部分から全体を感じさせること、さらに、利用者の活動やまちの景観と豊かな関係を築き、建物の向こう側に新たな世界の広がりを期待させ、人々の想像力を刺激する空間の奥行きのようなものをつくることを意図した。
共同設計:小澤丈夫 菊池規雄
写真:No.01~51 阿野太一
A building that formerly housed a supermarket has been transformed into a communal space that centers around childcare services and artistic activities. The community of Biei needed an alternative form of public space that allows people from different generations and backgrounds to freely engage in various activities and interact with each other. The preexisting building had two stories along with a partial underground floor; the first floor was used for commercial purposes, while the second floor was used as residence. The building was supported by a generic steel framing system. Yet interestingly, the height of each story differed significantly, allowing the first floor to be transformed into an open public space and the second floor to be used as a semi-public space for locals.
Complying with recent changes in the building codes, a canopy covering the entire preexisting structure was constructed to reduce the snow load on the old steel framing. This new structure allowed the programmatic conversion of the building to take place and became the core feature of the renovation. The alleviation of the snow load and removal of the preexisting roof increased the seismic capacity of the steel framing drastically. In the interior, we added new “cylindrical spaces” on the second floor and “freestanding stone walls” made from recycled Biei soft stone on the first floor, turning the generic space into a comfortable platform for various activities.
The skylights on the canopy bring the gentle northern sunlight into the building, and the horizontal louvers spread the light, creating a dynamic luminous region that changes over time. The “cylindrical spaces” that intersect with the steel framing lack the louvers and join directly with the canopy. These spaces provide the necessary functions for the second floor and subtly organize the different programs while preserving a sense of interconnectedness between them. Some parts of the “cylindrical spaces” have openings that allow natural light to come into the gallery space on the first floor. The “freestanding stone walls” located on the first floor are structurally independent from the steel framing. Maneuvering in and out of the original structure, these walls protect and express the spatial experience of the traditional stone warehouses of Biei while engendering a new form of relationship with the community.
This building was essentially created by superimposing four central features: the canopy, the steel framing, the “cylindrical spaces,” and the “freestanding stone walls.” Instead of simply putting these together, the features were intricately merged to generate a coherent whole. Despite the wide diversity of programs and atmosphere, each space somehow alludes to the entirety of the building. In addition, the building connects the people’s activities with the townscape and suggests a new world that spreads beyond the building’s confines, stimulating the creative minds of the community.
Collaborator: Takeo OZAWA, Norio KIKUCHI
photo credit : No.01~51 DAICI ANO

























