Takano Landscape Planning

Profile of Takano Landscape Planning

Business Name

Takano Landscape Planning

Location

Japan

Services

Architecture

Website

http://www.tlp.co.jp

Words from the Company:

Background

Away from "bubble age" Tokyo

Japanese economy was flourishing in 1988, and resort development was booming. Such was the time when our landlord decided to build a new building on our office site. We searched for another place, but rents in Tokyo were soaring. And if one chooses to pay high rent, it means that one must increase their work load. Efficiency for profit becomes essential, though we wanted to take more time for making programs and design. Hence we have decided to move out of Tokyo.

To a new land, Hokkaido

We moved to Tokachi, Hokkaido, land of farming. An ex-school building used then as a community hall became our office. By leaving Tokyo, we could feel nature and become more familiar with the changing of seasons. We have also built new relationships with the community by discussing and sharing future plans for the area. Our work, and way of living changed drastically by having our own field of activities in a broader area.

Activities

Work camp and self-build

Two week work camps held in summer and winter with students from all over Japan offers multiple experiences dealing with forest, construction, relationship with the community, festivity, and sensibility. We have held these student-work-camps for more than 15 years, and they have evolved into workshops we hold for our own projects dealing with park-making and self-building.

Associating with the region

We enjoy our lives more as we got closer to the people of the community. Our office is a part of the community building, and together we hold many activities, including local festivals.

Locations

From Hokkaido to the world, and the world to Hokkaido

Takano Landscape Planning has local offices in Taiwan and Malaysia. Along with the Hokkaido office, we work together on many international projects.

In the Hokkaido office, we often accept open desk visitors, and interns from abroad. This year we had landscape architects from Argentina, University of California, and University of Washington staying with us.

From Hokkaido to all over Japan

Our staff members often live on-site with projects in Kyoto and Utsunomiya. Settling down on the site allows us to develop close ties with the region. Our satellite office now includes one in Shiga Prefecture.

To cities again

We rediscover the city-life by living in a country side. Projects in big cities such as Sapporo and Tokyo are seen with a new view point.

Philosophy of Living

Enjoy living

Our individual lives are full of fun. We play soccer and enjoy fishing. One of our members tends horses at home to participate in equestrian events. And there are parties.

Continuous involvement with forest and agriculture

We are surrounded by forest and farm, and direct involvement with them allows us to feel and think of a sustainable society. Such experiences have become a primary aspect in structuring our project concept.

New sense of values

We moved to Hokkaido, when the whole country had set its priorities in "speed", "efficiency", "big scale", "profit", "advancement", and "big city".

It was not just a choice to move our office, but choice for each staff member to have a life of "allowing slow progress", "building up seemingly useless thing", "not following short sighted profit", " knowing importance of primary things", and "feeling familiar with the local environment".