Japanese architecture studio Schemata Architects has successfully transformed an abandoned ironworks factory on Teshima Island into a vibrant cafe and brewery complex. The 360-square-meter building, now known as Teshima Factory, sits near Ieura Port harbor and represents a remarkable example of adaptive reuse that honors the structure's industrial heritage while creating a welcoming community space.

The renovation project divided the original single open-plan factory space into two distinct sections - one housing a cafe and the other containing a brewery. Functional areas including the kitchen and brewing facilities were enclosed within specialized boxes and strategically positioned throughout both sections. To enhance the building's appeal and functionality, the architects replaced half of the original metal exterior walls with polycarbonate panels, allowing natural light to flood the interior spaces.

"By using polycarbonate, light is now drawn into the interior, visually conveying that people are inside, transforming it into a more welcoming space for visitors," explained the studio led by architect Jo Nagasaka. The design team also added steel braces for structural reinforcement while maintaining the building's industrial character through careful material selection.

The architects faced a unique challenge in balancing the preservation of the factory's industrial atmosphere with the need to create a comfortable dining environment. They solved this by implementing a thoughtful material strategy that uses warm, tactile materials for surfaces that people directly interact with, while preserving the rough industrial feel in other areas. Tables, chairs, sofas, and counters feature wood, fabric, and tiles, while the space maintains its industrial edge through exposed structural elements.

A distinctive turquoise-green color scheme runs throughout the facility, derived from the rust-proof coating originally applied to the existing steel framework. This color choice serves as both a design element and a nod to the building's industrial past, creating visual continuity while adding warmth to the space.

Teshima Island itself carries significant historical and environmental importance. Once known as "garbage island" due to illegal industrial waste dumping, the island has undergone a remarkable transformation into a cultural destination featuring art museums and creative spaces. The Teshima Factory project aligns with this broader revitalization effort, creating "a space for communication that leverages the island's cyclical agriculture and fishing industries."

The interior design incorporates sustainable and locally-sourced elements that reflect the island's environmental recovery story. Unique spherical lighting fixtures were crafted from marine plastic waste collected from the ocean surrounding Teshima, turning pollution into functional art. The studio also commissioned Dutch artist Sander Wassink to collaborate with local Teshima residents in creating a collection of custom chairs for the space.

"When considering what material would suit Teshima, we concluded that, much like agriculture and fishing, sourcing materials from within the island itself would be ideal," the architects explained. "Consequently, we decided to collect and utilize reclaimed timber no longer in use on the island. To foster a sense of attachment to this new space among the islanders, we opted to produce the pieces through workshops."

The project represents part of Schemata Architects' broader portfolio of adaptive reuse and community-focused projects throughout Japan. Their previous work includes a wooden cafe overlooking Tokyo Bay and guesthouses on Kouri Island that feature locally-sourced timber cladding. The Teshima Factory project demonstrates how thoughtful architecture can honor industrial heritage while serving contemporary community needs and environmental sustainability goals.