Marche Vison Market

The design philosophy behind Marché VISON is a multi-layered concept that integrates architectural innovation with natural elements, cultural reverence, and environmental sustainability. Here's a summary of the 8 key ideas and inspirations shaping this unique project:

1/ Expansive Roofs: Symbolizing humanity's place within the natural cycle of rain and sunshine, the design features large, expanding roofs with a three-dimensional curve extending along the ground. The continuous eaves and gutters are designed to show the dynamic rain curtain.

2/ Wooden Frames: The expansive roofs are supported by a continuous wooden frame, inspired by the tunnel-like series of torii gates at Akone Yashiro Shrine. This shrine is dedicated to prayers for bountiful harvests, plentiful catches, and thriving commerce, making it an ideal inspiration for a facility showcasing Mie Prefecture's production.

3/ Sequence: After exiting the highway and making a gentle uphill turn, the expansive roofs in continuity with the earth come into the open sky view. This beginning makes guests aware of the sky, while the 200-meter-long structure heightens visitors' awareness of the earth, responding to the landscape's scale. Serving as the initial interaction point for visitors from the city, the design integrates with the natural environment, marking a symbolic entry to VISON. It strategically guides visitors, fostering exploration and environmental engagement.

4/ Dual Temporal Layers: Acknowledging the inevitability of commercial evolution, the design separates commerce and landscape timelines. Even though the design of dozens of stores may change one after another over the course of years, the roofs and wooden frames will remain the same. The unpainted wood will evoke the accumulation of time and will be in harmony with the slowly changing nature. By distinguishing the expansive roofs from the compact areas below, it aims to capture the enduring beauty of nature while accommodating the change of store design, allowing for an adaptable and timeless space.

5/ Skeleton of the Landscape: VISON was developed with the aim to apply height differences wherever possible in order to create a mountain scenery. Marché VISON also takes on this direction and intends to acquire the richness of the emerging three-dimensional scenery. While the structure is divided into four buildings in the longitudinal direction, the stepped slabs are connected with slopes to continuously align the frame pitch in order to fortify the impression of an en suite facility. Transverse to the long side, the gradient that continues from the terrain to the grand roofs guides the eyes to the sky, creating a lively flow.

6/ Homeland Scene: Facing the expressway, the exterior features Mie Prefecture wood louvers, offering a dynamic view that captures local natural splendor. This is intended to create and showcase a luminous drama that can be seen from cars. In particular, we carefully presented the comfort of the hours when the mountain range blurs into the evening sky. The lights that resemble those leaking from houses remind people of warmth and harmonize with the darkening mountains. People of the next generation protect and foster homeland scenes and share that value with guests from faraway. We hope for such virtuous cycle.

7/ Intermediate Zone: Marché VISON acts as a bridge between indoor and outdoor spaces under its expansive roofs, promoting interaction with the local climate and nature. The idea is for people to enjoy the view of the sky and the mountain landscape along with seasonal foods. We wanted to embrace the seasonal physical sensations that tend to be forgotten in our world where closed-type shops and online shopping has become commonplace. This design also minimizes energy use for climate control while highlighting seasonal offerings.

8/ Genius Loci: Despite significant alterations to the natural landscape, the project seeks to preserve the genius loci, or the protective spirit of the place. Instead of building concrete edifices pursuing economy in the narrow sense, we aimed to create a unique landscape that connects with the regional environment and offers a sense of affluence over generations. With such a mindset, we pursued a way to design and create Marchﾃｩ VISON so that it brings out the best of the natural environment. We took particular care in the elements where the common practice of commercial facilities may clash with the ideals of the area’s scenery, such as signs and lighting.

Overall, Marché VISON embodies a profound respect for its natural and cultural setting, leveraging architectural expression to create a space that is both innovative and deeply rooted in local identity and environmental responsibility.

The primary focus in designing Marché VISON has been to foster a deep connection between the environment, the local community, and the broader sphere of food culture. We aimed to create a venue that not only highlights local produce and culinary innovation but also serves as a vibrant gathering place for learning, sharing, and celebrating the rich heritage of Mie Prefecture.

In line with this, an essential part of our vision for Marché VISON is to serve as a catalyst for regional innovation and educational opportunities. This includes collaborating with local high schools to host events that engage students in the agricultural and culinary arts, providing them with practical experiences and insights into potential career paths. Moreover, by inviting chefs to introduce new specialties, we intend to create a dynamic platform for culinary experimentation and discovery, further enriching the local food culture and agritourism.

This approach underlines our commitment not only to architectural and environmental sustainability but also to nurturing the educational and social fabric of the community. Through Marché VISON, we strive to create a meaningful impact on the region's development, encouraging a new generation to explore and contribute to the local culture and economy.

My vision for Marché VISON within the development project is to see it evolve as a central hub for regional innovation and collaboration. Ideally, Marché VISON would extend its role as a platform to showcase innovative dishes utilizing local ingredients, promoting not just the local cuisine but also acting as a catalyst for agritourism by encouraging visits to the origins of these ingredients. Furthermore, it would be meaningful if it could enhance its contribution to regional development and the preservation of cultural heritage through collaborative events with local institutions. I hope that the design of Marché VISON can symbolically embody these initiatives, marking it as a landmark of community engagement and sustainable development within the development project. However, as a designer, my role is to provide the vision and hope for these outcomes, understanding that the realization of such goals primarily lies in the hands of those who manage and operate the facility post-construction.