Location: Sapporo, Japan.

Architect: NIKKEN SEKKEI LTD.

The Public Space Connected to the Town Sapporo Sosei Square is a complex facility located in central Sapporo, planned through a public-private partnership redevelopment project. It includes public facilities such as a theater and library, businesses, facilities that support the surrounding area, an indoor parking lot, and a public bicycle parking lot. It was designed to take into account the urban centre structure of Sapporo and the climate of Hokkaido, with a plaza connecting the complex with the surrounding city blocks and covered walks providing comfort in rain and snow. A large atrium space, SCARTS Mall, vertically connects the adjacent café, library, and event studio, creating an indoor communication space tailored for a city known for snow and cold. The building will be a catalyst for more thoughtful and useful public spaces that contribute to Sapporo’s urban renewal.

SCARTS Mall is a three-dimensional network connected to the theatre on the upper level, which is a hub for disseminating the art and culture of Sapporo. It is the first theatre in northern Japan with a multi-stage design, with 2,302 seats equipped to host full-scale performing arts productions. The seating area was designed as divided blocks of balconies to provide optimum sight lines to the stage from every seat. The shapes of the ceiling reflectors, walls, and balconies were determined after repeated experiments with models and audio simulations to achieve clear and powerful acoustics. This theatre with the ultimate visibility and sound enhances a sense of unity between the stage and the audience and provides a space suitable for experiencing the most exceptional performing arts.