NOMURA Co.,Ltd. SCENESplanning & design

仙台駅から東北本線で南へ約20分。豊かな田園地帯が広がる岩沼市に竹駒神社はある。平安時代に創建されたこの神社は、全国でも有数の存在。古来より日本三稲荷のひとつに数えられ、地域の氏神様として広く尊崇を集めてきた。しかし、時代の遷り変わりとともに、参拝者の数が漸減。地域活性化の核とすべく、地元の人々が協力して境内のにぎわいを取り戻すプロジェクトに挑戦した。

The 2025 World Exposition, Japan (Osaka-Kansai Expo), is also a competition of architecture. In one corner of the venue, filled with uniquely concept design pavilions, stands a small, futuristic wooden structure that looks ahead to practical use in the very near future. It is the guidance hall of RITE Mirai-no-Mori, a demonstration plant that captures carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. With wooden architecture now attracting global attention from a sustainable perspective, the project team was the first in Japan to attempt a building with what could be called the ultimate in simple structure, but which also poses challenges precisely because of its simplicity.

Chiba City Zoological Park, which opened in 1985 as a zoo close to the hearts of the citizens, has had an animal science museum attached to it since its opening, where visitors can learn mainly about tropical animals, making it a pioneer in Japan. In March 2025, to commemorate its 40th anniversary, the animal science museum underwent a complete renovation of its displays. While pursuing a high level of academic excellence, it was reborn as a facility where visitors can learn while experiencing the tropical rainforest, reminiscent of a theme park.

The Amami Rabbit Museum Quru Guru, which opened in April 2025, is a conservation and research facility that treats and rehabilitates injured Amami rabbits (hereinafter referred to as "rabbits") with the aim of returning them to the wild. It also uses interactive displays to promote research on the rabbit's ecology, environmental education, and coexistence with humans...

In July 2025, "mirocco," an indoor children's playground planned, designed, and operated by NOMURA Co.,Ltd. Group for approximately 11 years, opened. This is our first time operating a children's playground, despite our extensive experience in creating various spaces. *Project details here: Located on the 22nd Century Hill "Tamari..." owned by Kakegawa City, Shizuoka Prefecture.

The "Osaka-Kansai Expo concept design Exhibition" was held at the Osaka Prefectural Enokojima Cultural and Artistic Creation Center (enoco) from October 1st to 19th. This article introduces a discussion from the talk program "See You Again, Expo—What Does an Expo Leave Behind for Society?" held on October 11th. After the opening of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, derivative works by visitors and fans were created on social media...