ROOTH 2-3-3 - MOMENT Inc.

"Ageing Gracefully"

The plan was to renovate a 65-year-old rice storehouse, built using over 100-year-old reclaimed bricks from the chimneys and structures of the World Heritage Miike Coal Mine, into a café aimed at revitalizing the local community. We sought to preserve as much as possible the weathered wooden beams that form the structure of the building. To achieve this, we created the largest possible ceiling openings that would meet legal standards for natural light and ventilation. The partially exposed beams now serve as a distinctive accent in the space. One of the unique features of this café is that visitors are free to browse a wide variety of newspapers—60 titles across different genres. We repurposed existing logs in the walls to display the newspapers at a glance. The wooden holders, designed to harmonize with the space, make it easy for guests to pick up and return the papers without hesitation. The counter seating was designed with enough depth to allow newspapers to be comfortably spread open, while also maintaining a comfortable distance from the kitchen staff at work. A large window at the entrance was designed to offer a clear view of the interior from outside, lowering the threshold for entry and creating an inviting atmosphere for the local community. From inside, this window frames the exterior scenery like a painting, adding a sense of openness and charm to the space. Without unnecessary decoration, we chose to preserve the original quality of the space, allowing the passage of time to flow seamlessly from the past into the present and bringing the building’s history gently to life. The high ceilings and open single-room layout of the storehouse let voices and the sounds of tableware softly reverberate, creating a pleasant acoustic backdrop that enriches the experience of being there.