At 4PLA, a newly developed mixed-use complex in the heart of Sapporo, Green Wise was responsible for the planting design and construction, maintenance, and creation of an art installation for the ‘Living Room for the City’ area.

Formerly known as 4-Chome Plaza, the facility operated from 1971 to 2022. It is now being rebuilt as a new mixed-use complex combining commercial and office spaces, scheduled for completion in April 2025.
During the planning of the ’Living Room for the City’, there was a request to collaborate with specialists knowledgeable about plants and the environment. Sharing the vision behind Green Wise’s Slow Green philosophy, the project was set in motion.

The project began with a commission from KAJIMA CORPORATION for planning and design-build services. Through a series of meetings, we proposed creating a work that would embody Kajima’s environmental initiatives and represent the company’s identity. This concept ultimately evolved into the production of the slow sculpture ‘Shakubetsu no Wa’, mentioned later in this blog.

Located in the heart of Sapporo, the ‘Living Room for the City’ – an indoor public space planned as part of the redevelopment of the former 4-chome Plaza – was an ambitious and unconventional challenge in the field of urban design. As the project progressed, we engaged in continuous dialogue with KAJIMA CORPORATION, the project owner, and its group companies, working together to shape the shared vision for the space.

“At the heart of the project lies the experience of those who visit the space.”
Guided by this belief, we first held a workshop with members of the Kajima Group involved in the planning,　exploring together what kind of experiences visitors might have once the space was complete.

We then visited reference sites and continued refining the shared vision for the space, developing a design and planting plan aimed at enriching the experience within the environment.

Through this project, we encountered an initiative that explores new approaches to manufacturing by transforming waste materials into paint. Inspired by this idea, we decided to incorporate planters made from reclaimed materials into the Living Room for the City.

As a symbol of Kajima’s commitment to environmental sustainability, we used paint derived from recycled brick waste for the planter colours and reused crushed reclaimed bricks as mulching material.

‘To create a unique work that embodies Kajima’s identity in this place’.

The slow sculpture takes shape together with the story of its materials, so what it would ultimately become was not clear from the beginning. The process began with a search for materials. Among several potential sources, the Shakubetsu forest – owned and managed by the Kajima Group – was selected. Shinji Takahashi, who continues to create works at Green Wise, joined members of Kajima Corporation to enter the forest and search for suitable materials.

While various plants grew wild in the forest, we were a little unsure whether we could find materials that would truly suit this space. Guided by the belief that ‘there is always something to be discovered when you go into the mountains’, we walked through the forest until our eyes caught sight of Oriental bittersweet (Tsuru-umemodoki) – a vine with a wild, expressive character entwined around the trees.

Although it bears beautiful berries, it has traditionally been pruned or cut down as part of forest maintenance. At that moment, everyone present felt united in the belief that reusing such plants was the perfect way to express Kajima’s commitment to the environment – ‘This truly suits our work!’

The artwork titled ’Shakubetsu no Wa’ was named to reflect the bond shared among the team members who experienced that moment together. It is now displayed as a suspended art piece on the ceiling of the first-floor lounge.

KAJIMA CORPORATION has revitalized ‘4PLA’ as a new urban hub that connects people, the community, and nature. Since its phased opening began in April, the facility has welcomed many visitors, including local residents. The site has already become a lively gathering place – where people chat on the lawn, relax on the terrace, and enjoy artworks created by local artists. We hope that this space will continue to evolve into a beloved community landmark, embodying the idea of a ‘Living Room for the City’.

Project: 4PLA (Sapporo 4-chome Place)
Location: 1-1 Minami 1-jo Nishi 4-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Completion: April 2025

Developer / Design & Construction: KAJIMA CORPORATION
’Living Room for the City’ Planting Plan (1F, 3F) and ‘Slow Sculpture’ (1F) – Planning, Design, Construction, and Maintenance: GREEN WISE Co., Ltd.

Artist Profile
Shinji Takahashi
Art Director at GREEN WISE and GREEN WISE ITALY.
Drawing on his earlier experience as a furniture craftsman, Takahashi became fascinated with living plants as a material in their own right, which led him to join Green Wise. During his time at the company’s Italian branch, he served as CTO, providing technical guidance to local staff. After returning to Japan, he began creating works that utilise natural materials, guided by Green Wise’s philosophy of harmony with the environment. He produced ’Shakubetsu no Wa’.