The Otemae district, which prospered as the castle town of Saiki Castle, was a commercial center bustling with shoppers until recently. However, the area declined due to the withdrawal of department stores, opening of roadside shops in the neighborhood, and a fire in the shopping district, and much of it became vacant land. This project aimed to revitalize the entire city by bringing back liveliness to the area by developing cultural facilities.
The main cultural facilities, the Saiki Shiroyama Sakura Hall and the Information Center, are located on the main street so people can see the activities inside. Furthermore, two plazas with different characteristics have been built to create a setting where people constantly gather. We designed the district's facilities and oversaw the overall design of the entire block.
The city initially planned to pass the bus routes through the central street. However, after receiving feedback from community residents, we proposed a plan to consolidate the bus rotary to the district's east side. Based on our proposal, the city officials made the necessary adjustments in just one month, and changed the road plan.
As a result, day-to-day safety has increased, and it has become a place where citizens can spend time in peace. In addition, pedestrianizing the central street has opened up the possibility of hosting large-scale events.
The name "Saiki Shiroyama Sakura Hall" was chosen from among entries submitted by the public. The word “Shiroyama” refers to the remains of Saiki Castle, where the castle's stone walls have been preserved to this day, serving as a spiritual landmark for the citizens. The Otemae district, which prospered as the castle town to Saiki Castle, still retains the old townscape with many warehouses, temples, and shrines. Our challenge in planning a 26-meter-high hall here was harmonizing it with the historic townscape.
First, the tall fly tower section was set back from the street to reduce the overwhelming impression. The roof was divided into smaller elements, with the color tone matched to the surrounding tile roofs and a sloped shape.
In addition, eaves were added to the first floor to evoke the old townscape.
The building was divided into small elements to match the layout of the commercial facilities across the street and shaped like a row of small buildings. The design intends to coexist with the townscape without a sense of incongruity in scale and shape.
The interior of Sakura Hall is bright and comfortable, with soft natural light passing through the gaps between the segmented roof. It also has many atriums to provide a sense of unity. Many tables are arranged around the hall, and citizens can drop in anytime to rest, chat, or study.
All the activity rooms in the Sakura Hall are designed with glass walls so passers-by can see what is going on inside. Various activities such as practicing musical instruments, cooking classes, painting classes, dance, yoga, and Pilates are held in an open environment, carefully arranged to ensure that visitors can see the diverse cultural activities of the citizens at all times. We intend to create a lively atmosphere throughout the facility by making the activities visible from the citizens' gathering place. We use this as a catalyst to inspire new cultural activities.
In addition, the activity rooms are arranged along the street to convey the lively atmosphere of cultural activities to the city.
The Art Plaza, which can be used for various events such as lobby concerts, exhibitions, and flea markets, is located in the center of the Sakura Hall, providing a venue for citizens to make presentations. Stairs and indoor terraces are also provided for viewing, allowing people to enjoy the events from various locations. By opening the movable partitions, the large and small halls can be used integrally with the common area.
It also connects to the outdoor plaza by opening the glass on the north side, making it suitable for large-scale events. Additionally, it can host standalone events in the plaza or large-scale events involving the entire district, such as using the road as a pedestrian-only zone. Thus, it plays a central role in the community's lively scenes.
Based on the usage statistics for the existing hall, most events were music-related. Considering this, the large hall was designed in a shoebox configuration, which is ideal for music. Its retractable proscenium provides the flexibility to accommodate theatrical performances and lectures.
The entire first floor seating can be stowed away to create a flat floor, making it possible to hold exhibitions and events with a central stage, allowing for various uses.
In addition to the design of the main facilities in the Otemae district, including the Sakura Hall, Information Center, bus shelters, two plazas, and parking lots, we also supervised the design of the entire district, including the road design. We unified the colors and design of the exterior and the road. By creating a traffic flow that passes through the Information Center from the newly constructed bus terminal and parking lot on the west side of the commercial facilities and Information Center, we have increased convenience and created an effect that unifies the area, disseminates public information, and encourages people to stop by the commercial facilities.
Three different gathering spaces have been created in the district: “Goro-goro Park” with its lawns, “Paku-paku Terrace” with its moveable benches, and “Pocket Park” with benches for chatting in the shade of the trees. Furniture and other features, such as shaded areas, were also interspersed along the footpaths so that students, older people, and those with children could find a place to relax and enjoy themselves.
