TD atelier builds an employment support center for people with disabilities in japan

on a typical shopping street in the wakayama prefecture of japan, TD atelier has completed ‘YORIDOKO’ – a small facility to provide employment support to young people with disabilities. the project was realized on a small budget, which was helped by university students and users of the center who participated in part of the construction.

a small public space faces the shopping street

all images © matsumura kohei

with the limited construction budget, TD atelier adopted a method of making the finishing material stand alone like a stage set, rather than fixing it to the existing structure. this meant that the amount of material used could be reduced and the new intervention leaves a gap between the existing skeleton, creating depth and a more three-dimensional space. in addition, the ceiling is left exposed with a part of it removed by cleaning the base of the old ceiling.

a typical old japanese old shopping street

the center is designed to be open and welcoming. the entrance is a glass door that allows you to look inside from the shopping street or open it completely. people of all age ranges come and go in the street, from seniors to schoolchildren. there is a small public space in front of YORIDOKO, which is open to locals for eating and drinking, as well as self-study or playing chess. ultimately, the aim of the facility is to collaborate with local companies to get people with disabilities fulfilling job positions. 

view from the entrance – the wall stands so as to ‘erode’ the existing ceiling

space where users spend time exercising – the wall and floor graphics aim to trigger activity

a new wall stands in front of the old one

the zigzag-shaped wall looks fun!

the walls of plywood become windows or storage shelves

the space for staff includes an industrial sink with waterproof white paint

video © matsumura kohei

night view of YORIDOKO

a public space that can be used by locals for playing chess, chatting and eating lunch

images before and during construction – TD atelier held a workshop where university students and facility users helped with the build

technical drawings – money for construction was collected by crowd funding and donations

project info:

project name: employment support center YORIDOKO

location: nakanomachi shopping street, wakayama prefecture, japan

architect:  TD atelier/ tada masaharu

photography & video: matsumura kohei

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.