Situated upon the aptly named "Piss Alley" within the busy entertainment district of Shinjuku, Tokyo;  my proposed sake brewery integrates with an existing network of small bars to further energise the area whilst forming a symbiotic relationship with the surrounding entertainment area.

 

Traditionally, sake brewing is an incredibly labour intensive process – demanding an array of physical skill sets. The stirring of pots, the climbing of ladders and platforms, and the ability to remain steady on the narrow rim of a fermenting pot - these brewers engage with their workspace at a level comparable to trapeze artists. Nestled within Tokyo's entertainment district, the site provides the perfect stage for these performers to showcase their skills.

 

Throughout the design process it was a key concern to preserve these traditional production techniques. Utilising a delicate structure of beryllium copper and transparent ETFE membranes, my brewery combines modern technology with traditional brewing methods and transforms the process of sake production into a performance for the public to enjoy from the narrow alley below.