Takatsuki Arts Theatre: Creating Public Architecture Integrated with a Park

Creating a Forest of Arts and Culture Clad in Osaka’s Trees
When the design process began in the spring of 2015, the site visit highlighted a land nurtured over time, where history and nature are intertwined. On the former grounds of Takatsuki Castle, where historical elements coexist with park greenery, we sought to create a theater that would seamlessly integrate and resonate with the town as a natural extension of the landscape. Inspired by the Hokusetsu mountains to the north of Takatsuki—which have long overseen and nurtured the growth of the town—the aim was to infuse this venue with the enduring strength of the land, using timber from the Hokusetsu mountain range. The intention was to recall the charm of the castle town and the natural beauty of Takatsuki’s forests through a theater adorned with wooden exteriors.

Porous ‘Gaps’ Create an Integrated Public Space
In pursuit of creating a public space open to all citizens, the design incorporated three halls and ten studios, each designed with ‘gaps’, promoting the concept of “a theater for strolling, integrated with a park.” This approach enables free access to the facilities as if one were meandering through a park, creating an expansive space filled with light and nature.
Securing sound insulation between the large and small halls and the ten studios was a critical aspect of the design. By segmenting and introducing “gaps”, each hall and studio were independently placed to avoid direct adjacency. The rooms and corridors serve as acoustic buffer zones, effectively meeting the required sound insulation standards.
The courtyards placed within these porous “gaps” and wooden louvers woven into the exterior skin like pleats, fosters interior and exterior environments brimming with light and greenery, reminiscent of wandering through a forest.

Collaboration among Foresters, Woodworkers, Contractors, and Designers in Engaging with Wood
In recent years, wood has been used in architecture in various ways, but utilizing wood in a truly sustainable way remains a challenge. The Osaka Prefecture Forest Owners Association produces approximately 1,600 cubic meters of wood annually. At the time of design, a large amount of wood from Osaka’s forests was supplied to major cities such as Tokyo for the construction of facilities like the Olympic stadiums. This project's primary focus was on forest conservation and the development of forestry, rather than constructing large wooden buildings that would burden the forest. Since medium to large-scale wooden construction projects consume thousands of cubic meters of wood, this project adopted a novel approach by utilizing wood primarily as finishing material.
Consultations with local forest owners were repeatedly conducted to respectfully use the wood from local forests. About 350 cubic meters of wood were prepared from the project’s outset for a three-year construction period, the optimal amount to minimize impact on Osaka’s annual wood supply.
The project also aimed to utilize every piece of wood harvested without waste. The dimensions of the wood components were optimized to match the thickness of logs readily available from Osaka’s mountains, and each piece was judiciously used according to its characteristics. For internal timber requiring fire retardant treatment, shirata (white wood), which allows high substance impregnation was used, while akata (red wood), known for its excellent weather resistance, was chosen as exterior materials. Hard-to-use core parts were innovatively employed as wooden cubes in the decor of the large hall, ensuring minimal waste and creating a theater encapsulated in a forest-like ambience.

Project name: Takatsuki Arts Theatre
Purpose: Theater
Location: Takatsuki City, Osaka Prefecture
Site area: 19,075 sqm
Total floor area: 17,261 sqm
Number of floors: 2 basement floors, 3 above ground floors, and 3 penthouse floors
Eave height/maximum height: (Maximum height) 31.290 m; (Eave height) 30.890 m
Main structure: Reinforced concrete, steel-reinforced concrete, and steel frame
Completion month/year: March 2023
Client name: Takatsuki City
Lead architect: NIKKEN SEKKEI LTD
Main scope: Schematic design, design development, and site supervision
Construction Contractor: Obayashi Corporation
Other cooperating companies: Nagata Acoustics (Design cooperation)
Photo credit (Japanese/English): 伊藤彰[アイフォト] / Akira Ito [aifoto]