Interview with KEISUKE NAKAMURA/ DAIKEI MILLS —part 2
2/2
A real place enables people to come together and create new value with SKWAT.
— Keisuke Nakamura / DAIKEI MILLS
photography : Daisuke Shima, SKWAT
words : Reiji Yamakura/IDREIT
continue from part 1
In centre of Tokyo, Nakamura and the team started ‘SKWAT/twelvebooks’ in commercial complex ‘The Jewels of Aoyama’ in May 2020. photography: Daisuke Shima
— Could you tell me about the deployment of the fourth SKWAT in the commercial complex 'The Jewels of Aoyama' on Miyuki Dori Street in Aoyama area that became a big turning point for your overall project?
This was started when one of the property developers who got interested in our SKWAT project that began in Harajuku, invited us one day. We’ve reconnected with 'twelvebooks' and began our 4th SKWAT inside 'The Jewels of Aoyama' complex.
We were very surprised when a prime location with large space like this was introduced to us.
We were able to obtain their understanding towards the meaning of our activities and our aim to create cultural places, and currently we are renting spaces of 200sqm in total on the ground and first floors of the building.
Since SKWAT involves guerrilla-like activities, we can leave some impact that are temporary. But when it comes to creating a place, it will be absolutely essential to have charming points on the emotional level, such as who will be present at that place, or whether it’s a place people want to visit again, etc. Temporary speculation won’t increase the strength of SKWAT, so at the time we felt the necessity to develop the headquarters of SKWAT. That was the timing when we were introduced to this location, and we really thought this will be the best location for us to move forward with the future deployment of SKWAT projects.
When we started SKWAT last year, we were expecting to see some problems after Tokyo Olympics where excess number of properties will become vacant, but we really didn’t expect ourselves to be able to make a huge move like this in the middle of Aoyama area after just a few months of starting our SKWAT activities.
The designers left the existing walls and ceiling untouched and carpeted the floor to visualise the area.
For the interior, bookcases and shelves made of scaffolding pipes were added.
From the red lines on the ceiling that protect PC wire inside the concrete, red was chosen as the key colour for this SKWAT project.
—How did you consider its interior design for the 200sqm space?
For the interior design, instead of implementing a skeleton-like design that is trending now, we tried to produce the most effect from doing the minimum amount of work on the real skeleton of the building that was left behind by the last tenant of this place. We didn’t do anything on the walls and ceiling. We just laid red carpet on the floor. I chose red for the colour of carpet to match with a red line I found on the existing wall to protect the PC wires inside the concrete. Also, I received the shelves and lightings that were no longer needed and left behind after CIBONE Aoyama was dismantled, and re-installed them for this project.
The spacious first floor is used as a library with lots of chairs.
The bookcases and light fixtures were repurposed from a lifestyle store CIBONE Aoyama.
The table Trapeze that was once used in the twelvebooks’ showroom is also used as a display.
— How is this place actually being used today?
Inside we have twelvebooks' bookstore and their workplace. But then this is not a bookstore. We wanted to create a place where visitors can get some inspirations from artworks, or just relax in a comfortable space, so we call this place “a library open to the community”.
Currently we have a lot of visitors per day, and they look through artbooks or relax on the sofa, just as how we wished.
— Having that kind of environment in the heart of Aoyama is good for the people in the area. Could you tell me about SKWAT's future vision?
SKWAT will be expanding further within the building in the near future. We're going to add different content and develop it into a unique cultural venue. In addition, other plans for accommodation by SKWAT and web-based initiatives are also underway.
The images of their new e-commerce site ‘SKWAT MARKET’. In collaboration with several companies, SKWAT plans to start the service soon. (courtesy of SKWAT)
Regarding our future projects, it is important to create a virtual space as well as a real-world, so we want to make sure that both work well together. Besides, we are very happy to say that we now have a growing number of fellow members who are supportive of what we are doing as SKWAT. I am excited to see what we can achieve in the future that we have never imagined.
— That is very exciting! Lastly, could you talk about the challenges and experience you’ve faced up until today?
Everything is happening with the speed that is beyond our expectation, so, to be honest we cannot yet afford to stop and look back at what we’ve done so far. About what I had experienced, I can feel that SKWAT is able to contribute to the improvement of the fascinating aspect of the town or the value of the location.
I also feel the definition of “Luxury” will change significantly in the future. We believe that SKWAT will be able to present a new definition of “Luxury” in spatial design. I think the best timing and best location were the contributing factors for getting so much sympathy from so many people towards our activities.
We are doing independent activities, but the circle of sympathy towards SKWAT extends further as we send out our more information to the outside world. In this era where digitisation progressed well, we feel that the existence of a real place enables people to come together. Also, it revitalizes the surrounding area and creates new value with SKWAT.
SKWAT, an activity controlled by a team of strong-minded directors with a completely different approach than marketing-derived strategy. Their strong concepts, and the unique spaces they create are combined together to accelerate the project, involving those businesses and brands that sympathise with SKWAT concepts and spaces is ever increasing today. The reverse phenomenon, where their activities that made Squatting optimised to the modern Tokyo are getting enthusiastic support from a group of people with high sensitivity from all around the world, is absolutely satisfying to watch.
KEISUKE NAKAMURA
Born in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture in 1983. Established his own design studio DAIKEI MILLS in 2011 in Tokyo. Selected works: Artek Tokyo Store、CIBONE、ISSEY MIYAKE、6 (UNITED ARROWS)、avex office、Takram office
