ONOMICHI U2
Onomichi, Hiroshima
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Venue Overview
ONOMICHI U2 is a former shipping warehouse first built in 1943 that has been reborn as a multipurpose facility with a hotel, restaurant, bakery, and café. The name U2 comes from the fact that it used to be known as Warehouse (“uwaya” in Japanese) Number 2. The once-desolate port area west of JR Onomichi Station has been transformed by this complex, which has altered the flow of people and revitalized the area. At this venue, you can view and purchase magazines and visual books (“zines”) created by young architects. Experience the zine culture of the young generation of Japanese architects.
*Admission is free (no Exhibition Passport required).
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Architectural Highlights
Design: Makoto Tanijiri + Ai Yoshida / SUPPOSE DESIGN OFFICE (Established in 2014). The renovation of this former shipping warehouse, originally built in 1943 during World War II, was handled by architects Makoto Tanijiri and Ai Yoshida, two Hiroshima-natives who work between Hiroshima and Tokyo. Given the historical significance of the building and the need to be able to restore it to its original state in the future, an “architecture within architecture” approach was adopted that left the structure itself untouched. Using lightweight steel frames that can be easily dismantled, a series of small-scale spaces was created reminiscent of Onomichi’s streetscapes, with alleys connecting them. These spaces are designed to encourage interaction not only among users but among locals. The materials have been chosen to align with the theme of “simplicity with sophistication” and include wood, stone, mortar, and iron inspired by Onomichi’s historical visage and its history of shipbuilding. Even the detailed fixtures, such as the lighting and fabrics, have been sourced locally, resulting in a space that lets visitors experience the delights of the Seto Inland Sea region.