The vast apartment complex of Sakonyama holds some 4,800 units, and the renovation project of its communal plaza was lead by its own management association, a rare occurrence even by national standards. Together with the residents, we have held workshops to brainstorm ideas on how to use the space, made benches to be placed in the plaza, and placed various other features all over the plaza for everyone to enjoy the space the way they want to. These features include a pizza oven that can also double as a kitchen in times of emergency, a decking stage for public presentations, benches in the shade for reading a book or for a game of Go, and a wide grassed open space for outdoor events. Sakonyama “Minna no Niwa” (everyone’s garden) will continue to provide fresh “everyday pleasures” for the residents.

* Video clip (15) in the above slideshow is of the “Sakonyama Art Festival” held here on Nov 30th, 2019.