Osaka, Japan - A paradigm for urban public space emerged with t he Esaka Hitotoki Project in Suita City. Positioned at the intersection of high-density urban living and traditional satoyama forestry, the project introduces an approach to architecture where the building process itself serves as a catalyst for community exchange and environmental intersection.

A local gathering place is not something that is simply given; it is something created together by all who use it. In this pro ject, alongside the development of the facility, we established a process of place-making that involved the participation of people from the surrounding area and nearby satoyama communities. The building was placed perpendicular to the road, allowing for the simultaneous construction of both the building and the open space. Workshops such as lawn-laying, bench-making, and biotope-creating were held in parallel with the construction wo rk. The biotope project, conducted in collaboration with a near by elementary school, was incorporated into the school’ s curriculum. This contributed to environmental education for the children and fostered a sense of attachment to the facility.