CYCLE STATION AT OTSU PORT

This is a public project commissioned by Otsu City after a successful joint proposal by a design and construction team. The project involves repurposing the existing cafe, lounge, and retail areas within Otsu Port into a "Biwaichi" cycle station—a hub for cyclists that includes both retail and dining facilities. The design was shaped by three primary challenges: a limited budget, the fact that the operator had not yet been selected at the time of the proposal, and the need for adaptability to future changes. To address these, our proposal focused on the use of "Mobile Furniture." By minimizing permanent architectural interventions and treating the interior as an extension of the furniture itself, we aimed to create an inclusive and versatile space that can evolve alongside its users.

The facility name, "O-PORT-able," is a coined term combining "Otsu Port" with "portable." This naming was proposed by our team and officially adopted by Otsu City. While the space was envisioned as a hub for cyclists, tourists, and local residents, the operational specifics remained experimental for both the administration and users. To facilitate a process of trial and error—allowing elements to be freely moved or added—we placed "Mobile Furniture" at the heart of the design. By enabling the rental counter to be taken outdoors or trash bins to be relocated for events, we expanded the role of mobile furniture to support versatile developments beyond the interior.

The "Outdoor Bicycle Storage" required by the public proposal was designed as a versatile, mobile unit based on single-pipe scaffolding, anticipating future expansion. Each unit can be locked individually, and security is ensured by the ability to connect units together or anchor them to the ground to prevent theft. By utilizing these mobile units, adding storage to accommodate an increase in users becomes far easier than traditional architectural expansion or construction. This approach was proposed and adopted as a cost-effective and time-efficient solution. Furthermore, the units are designed with multi-purpose use in mind, allowing them to be repurposed as market stalls during local events.

We designed a wide range of custom fixtures, including shelving, counters, benches, and signage. To resolve the cluttered impression of the former shop, we used materials like corrugated metal and linoleum in coordinated theme colors, creating a design where display and storage coexist beautifully. The benches, with their distinctive madder-red legs, are also intended for use on the outdoor lawn. Rather than an isolated project, we envision this facility evolving in tandem with future hubs. While seawater does not flow into Lake Biwa, I hope this place becomes a kind of "brackish zone"—a vibrant crossroads where local residents, tourists, and cyclists naturally mingle.

While the initial requirements were limited to "fabricating signage for the designated name," we believed that visual vibrancy through environmental graphics was essential. We took a proactive approach by designing the logo, pictograms, and even a custom typeface to establish a comprehensive brand identity for future expansion. In contrast to the typical blue-toned signage associated with Lake Biwa and "Biwaichi," we selected a red-based palette of Madder and Russet. This choice ensures the facility stands out from its surroundings and defines its identity as a new "Starting Point" for cyclists. The typography and pictograms were specifically developed to remain legible and distinctive even when applied to the textured surfaces of corrugated metal.