Food Hub Pulls Community Together in Hokkaido, Japan

A grassroots attempt at connecting people in the community through the universal language of food, Japanese architectural firm Kengo Kuma along with a group of students from UC Berkeley’s College of Environmental Design constructed ‘Nest We Grow.’ The Japanese larch forest served as reference for the structure’s height and spatial design and was constructed entirely of timber. Built on the island of Hokkaido, numerous beams for hanging fish and produce were added as well as a tea platform with a sunken fireplace to serve as a central gathering place for the community to keep, prepare and enjoy local foods.