A design to revitalize a large, dilapidated housing complex, which has become a social issue in Japan. Issues of housing complexes which have aged and become unsuitable for a modern living environment were carefully selected and responded to with design solutions. In the common area, maintenance began by removing unnecessary items, such as outdoor structures like fences, walls, and stairs which deteriorate over the years and give off a dark, heavy image, as well as trees. 

A bright and airy plaza was created by spreading grass over the sprawling open space, a characteristic of the complex. Randomized wooden louvers were placed on the residential buildings’ balconies to harmonize with the plaza. In addition, outdoor furniture based on the “Future of Housing Complex Project” logo Sato designed himself was installed in various places to elevate the outdoor space into a more iconic area. 

The simple lawn plaza does not limit how it could be used, and has a sense of comfort in that anyone can use it. Events are actively held to revitalize the community, by opening up not only to residents of the complex, but also to the community at large. After its renovation, it won 1st place in the “Top Places to Live” along a railway line. As it presents the possibility of revitalizing many dilapidated housing complexes in Japan, its sustainable approach that avoids “scrap-and-build” has become a huge talking point societally.