Spring 2022 - 14 weeks
The former Daisan Elementary School is located north of downtown Nakanojo, JPN in the Shima region. The area is heavily reliant on tourism, as there are many popular tourist attractions in the area. An area of concern when I first started this project, was the issue of depopulation in rural areas in Japan. Citizens are fleeing the suburbs to go and live in the big cities. The senior population has been steadily increasing while the younger population has been decreasing at a similar rate. This also applies to Nakanojo, where my site is located. I want to capitalize on the expertise and wisdom that the senior population have, especially in wood-making and furniture. It is very crucial for the seniors to lead by example so the younger generation can carry on their traditions.
In my project I’m introducing a new program of furniture-making, “Daisan Woodworks” taken from the original school’s name. The Daisan Woodworks school is a place where the valuable skills of woodcrafting prosper. The Former Daisan Elementary School is entirely renovated to accommodate this new program. The new school will also be a place to auction items, crafted by the school, to the general public and the tourists who will be visiting the area. Tourists will also explore the many possibilities in woodcraft by engaging in workshops and classrooms. The crafted items will also be exhibited for tourists, and in return, this will generate revenue for the school to self- sustain itself while also providing back to the community.
