Tenshodo Project
天昌堂プロジェクト

Tenshodo was originally a long-standing clothing store established in the early Showa period. It was an essential community gathering space where local residents were employed and school uniforms were sold for Shirone Junior and Senior High Schools. For older residents, it remains a nostalgic space filled with memories of their youth—a place that once led the local fashion and cultural scene.

As time passed, the store closed and remained vacant. The Shirone district faced severe issues common to regional Japan: a shrinking population, an aging society, and a lack of successors, leading to a declining shutter-front main street. Re-engaging nuclear families and younger generations in community activities had become a critical challenge.

Survey data revealed that Minami Ward ranked as the "least healthy" area in Niigata City. Key factors included a higher-than-average proportion of elderly-only households, social isolation caused by limited public transit, and long, harsh winters. Applying the concept of "Social Determinants of Health"—which recognizes how health is closely tied to living environments, economic conditions, and social structures—the project was developed to utilize artistic thinking for community design, transforming Tenshodo into an active community hub through ongoing experimental trials.

Zone 1: Free Space

Right near the entrance, a wooden structure with an Engawa (traditional veranda) was built, drawing on local Machiya townhouse architecture. It serves as a versatile, multi-purpose free space. Created during the project's first year as part of a citizens' university program for community organizers, it was completed through a 9-day workshop led by carpenter Takatsune Hayashi alongside participants. The warmth and aroma of the wood foster a physical and mental sense of well-being while connecting cultural perspectives with health.

Zone 2: Salon

The extension at the back functions as a meeting and lecture space, while also serving as a "Community Living Room"—a model home promoted by Niigata City for integrated community care. In a district with many single-person elderly households and rising isolation, it acts as a base for mutual support and healthy longevity.

Zone 3: Archive

A space dedicated to preserving the "objects of memory" left behind at Tenshodo, including old promotional materials and merchandise. These items were carefully uncovered and cleaned over time, and the exhibition features creative displays, such as walls lined with the diverse types of hangers unique to a vintage clothing store.

Zone 4: Indoor Playground

Created in the winter of 2017, this indoor park fills the surrounding spaces with around 30 play structures made from repurposed materials—such as chandeliers, display cases, and iron clothing racks. The equipment was designed with open-ended possibilities, encouraging users to invent their own ways of playing.

To explore how these play structures could be utilized, a two-day workshop was conducted with local residents. It brought together experts including Dr. Yugo Shobugawa (Niigata University), who researches aging societies through public health, and Dr. Kunihiko Shinoda, a specialist in sports epidemiology and community engagement.

Participants re-examined concepts such as "art," "health," "play," and "recreation" from various angles aligned with user perspectives. The workshop generated ideas that went beyond simple physical exercise—discovering that simply watching children play happily from a distance or chatting around a slide equally contributed to health and well-being. Based on these insights, a "Play Recipe" guide was created alongside spatial improvements to help visitors discover new ways to utilize the space.