MDJM's MD Local Global Enters Into Design Collaboration Agreement With Kengo Kuma And Associates For Renovation, Landscape Planning Of Fernie Castle Cultural Destination Project In Scotland

MDJM LTD (NASDAQ:UOKA) (the "Company" or "MDJM"), an integrated global culture-driven asset management company, today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, MD Local Global Limited, had entered into a design collaboration agreement with Kengo Kuma and Associates ("KKAA") for the renovation and landscape planning of the Fernie Castle cultural destination project in Scotland. This collaboration represents a strategic step toward enhancing both the cultural value and long-term commercial potential of Fernie Castle as part of MDJM's broader strategy to transform the site into a multi-functional cultural landmark.

KKAA is an internationally recognized architectural firm known for integrating traditional aesthetics with modern design, with projects in more than 50 countries across cultural, educational, and public sectors. Notable recent works include the UCCA Clay Museum in Yixing, China, and the Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian in Lisbon, Portugal. KKAA's founder, Kengo Kuma, established the firm in 1990 and is a University Professor and Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo. His work, honored with the 2025 Louis I. Kahn Award, is celebrated for creating innovative relationships between nature, technology, and human experience.

Under the agreement, KKAA will provide comprehensive architectural and landscape design services for the Fernie Castle site. The redevelopment plan includes the creation of an Oriental-style garden and the planned development of an animation and art museum inspired by models such as Japan's Ghibli Museum. The museum is expected to collaborate with leading European animation studios to produce works based on classical Eastern literature, with the objective of promoting Eastern cultural values and philosophical themes to audiences in the UK and other parts of Europe. This project seeks to combine the cultural heritage of Fernie Castle with Eastern aesthetics, creating a distinctive venue that integrates heritage preservation, immersive cultural programs, and innovative design. By engaging KKAA, MDJM aims to ensure high-quality planning and execution for a destination that blends architecture, art, and cultural exchange.