Community coffee

Members of the public were invited to attend a series of workshops in which they were taught how to make chairs, lamp shades and bookshelves from upcycled materials under the instruction of designers.

Now up and running, the community café counts these same volunteers as customers, who experience the fruit of their hard work every day and have learned an invaluable skill in the process.

‘We designed a cafe that allows for everybody’s involvement in the making process, so that the cafe will be loved as their own place, and the place will continue to change and grow while embracing all visitors,’ says architect Jo Nagasaka.