takao shiotsuka atelier: kikuchi pocket park

‘kikuchi pocket park’ by takao shiotsuka atelier, kikuchi-city, kumamoto, japan
all images courtesy takao shiotsuka atelier
image © toshiyuki yano

weaved into the neighborhood of kikuchi-city in kumamoto, japan, the ‘kikuchi pocket park’ is a plan of three parks
designed by japanese architect takao shiotsuka of takao shiotsuka atelier. with sites A and B now completed and C still
under development, the small infill sites each feature a unique singular motif, creating a personalized and defining character
between the locations.

the first public space, ‘kiriake’, is a miniature water park supplied by an agricultural waterway. the water appears to have been
collected within three large puddles scattered upon the plot. a lavatory, shelter and bench formed by abstracted stone structures
are interconnected by a consistent white paver, evoking the sand of a japanese rock garden.

aerial view of site A
image © toshiyuki yano

a series of crossing and meandering pathways delineated by curved metal pipes creates ‘yokomachi’, the second corner lot.
supported by a uniform framework, the stacked railings define footpaths and a circumscribe the restroom pavilion.
wooden benches are placed upon tubes which have been bowed to support seats, creating points of repose.

aerial view of site B
image © toshiyuki yano

site A
image © toshiyuki yano

site A
image © toshiyuki yano

site A
image © toshiyuki yano

site A
image © toshiyuki yano

site A
image © toshiyuki yano

site A
images © toshiyuki yano

site A
images © toshiyuki yano

site A at night
image © toshiyuki yano

site A at night
image © toshiyuki yano

site A at night
image © toshiyuki yano

site B at night
image © toshiyuki yano

site B at night
image © toshiyuki yano

site B at night
image © toshiyuki yano

site B at night
image © toshiyuki yano

site B at night
image © toshiyuki yano

site B
image © toshiyuki yano

site B
image © toshiyuki yano

site B
image © toshiyuki yano

site B
image © toshiyuki yano

site B
image © toshiyuki yano

lavatory pavilion
images © toshiyuki yano

lavatory
image © toshiyuki yano

model of sacred tree for site C
image © toshiyuki yano

site plan / site A

site plan / site B

site plan / site C

section / site A

section / site B

section / site C

project info:

title of project: kikuchi pocket park
architect/designer: takao shiotsuka
location: kikuchi-city,kumamoto, japan
date of completion: march, 2012
photography: toshiyuki yano
contributors/associates:
structure engineers: oga structural design office
mechanical engineers: kawano mechanical engineering
constructors/associates:
site A: shichijo construction
site B: toyozumi construction