Kengo Kuma and Associates (KKAA) designed a wooden community center called Higashikawa Town Community Plaza (SORAIRO) in Higashikawa Town, Navel, Hokkaido, Japan. The building was designed as an interaction area for the people of Hokkaido. The goal was to construct a new public building with a playful and friendly vibe that individuals of all ages would adore.
Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan’s main islands, is known for its volcanoes, natural hot springs, and ski areas.
The people of Hokkaido especially appreciated the wooden community center with its simple but diverse material palette. The building is completely white on its more obscure façade, which does not face the square. With one light color and one dark wood panel, the eaves complete the glass-covered facade with a smooth transition.
“We strived to create a new public structure that can be enjoyed and loved by people of all ages with a tender ambiance. Large wooden eaves welcome the townspeople, and the building faces Mt. Asahi-Dake, a symbol of the Daisetsuzan Volcanic Group of mountains.” states the studio.
Each element in the interior of the wooden community center is adorned with blue, yellow, and green colors inspired by Higashikawa’s natural environment, including rivers, forests, and mountains.
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