THIRD PLACE episode #1

Hello, this is Yota.

 

In my last blog I just announced that I was starting a blog, so from today I will start updating it in earnest.

 

 

Let's start by asking, "What is a third place?"

 

A third place is a place where people gather and connect outside of home or work. Cafes, libraries, and parks that you often visit are specifically called third places and fit the bill. By the way, the first place is home, and the second place is the workplace.

 

I first learned about this term from Kobayashi-san, who designed the architecture for THIRD PLACE. We had been in private contact and often talked about and shared each other's work, styles, and interests. The word "third place" that I saw in his work has always stuck in my mind.

When I was thinking about the new store, I had an idea of what I wanted to achieve and the direction I wanted to take, but I had a hard time finding words to express it in one sentence.

 

When I thought from various perspectives about what I had done up until now, what I had conveyed, what I value, and what the future holds, I was searching for "something" that could connect and express all of these things, and that's when I remembered the word "third place."

 

I couldn't think of any other word that could tie everything together better for me.

 

However, I want it to be a third place not just for me, but for everyone.

 

Therefore, I wanted the people around me to look at me objectively, so I asked as many people as possible about this word. I consulted with my family, who always supported me, the team I worked with, the designers I did business with, and even with customers I've had long-standing relationships with (laughs).

 

To be honest, I was quite nervous about what kind of reaction I would get, but I received comments like, "That's great, it's just like you," and so "Third Place" was born.

 

When I told Kobayashi-san, who taught me this phrase, that I wanted to use the name "Third Place" in the store name, I was very happy. This theme became a big trigger for me to ask him to design the store.

 

 

 

From episode #2 "Third Place" to "THIRD PLACE".