Observation deck x park = paradise for parents and children! ?
-Sunshine 60 Observatory Tenbo Park-

Sunshine 60 Observatory Tenbo Park was reopened on April 18, 2023 under the concept of "a park in the sky that offers a new view experience." Following the renewal of "SKY CIRCUS Sunshine 60 Observatory" in 2016, our company was in charge of planning, design, leasing, construction, and logo creation for this renewal.

In this article, we invited two members of the company and their children to the facility on behalf of the child-rearing generation, which is also the main target of the renovation. In a round-table discussion with the project members, by combining the perspective of experiencing the facility for the first time and the perspective of planning and designing a new facility, we will enjoy exploring the new possibilities of the observatory as a space to attract customers!

★Here are the members of this round-table discussion!From left: Tamae Takahashi (designer/project member), Ai Ichikawa (planner/guest) + eldest son (3 years old), Yuuki Noda (planner/project member) + eldest daughter (0 years old), Sayuri Murata (planner/guest) + Eldest son (1 year old) Makino Mukaimachi (designer/project member)
*This is the first visit to the Ichikawa and Murata households after the renovation.

An observatory with two faces: ``extraordinary'' and ``intimacy''

Noda
First of all, please tell us your frank impressions after experiencing the facility.

Murata
First of all, I was surprised by the view and space that spreads out on the top floor of the building, and on the other hand, I felt that it is a facility where you can enjoy "extraordinary feeling" and "intimacy" together because of the thoughtful consideration for families raising children. rice field. In terms of "extraordinary feeling", the observatory space where you can feel the grassy hill called Tenbou no Oka was excellent. It's a space that's hard to find in other facilities.

 

Takahashi
In this renovation, various designs were used to realize the owner's desire to provide various values according to the needs of the time, time zone, and various target groups such as families, couples, and workers. We have been discussing the direction of

Among them, we focused on the park, which was attracting attention as a spot for going out even during the corona wreck, and the combination of the indoor third place and the observatory where people of various generations can naturally gather and spend their time freely. After deliberating that it would match the sense of the times, we proceeded with the design with the theme of "sky park".

 

Illustration map of Tenbo Park

Tenbou no Oka

Tenbo no Oka, which you liked, is one of the highlights of the facility.

Before the renovation, there was a counter installed at the bottom of the window surface that kept the distance from the glass surface. Now you can enjoy it. I think it is an effect of park-like space design that you can sit down on the spot, lie down, and view the scenery in a free posture.

Ichikawa
The texture of the artificial grass is also very realistic.

Takahashi
thank you. Recent artificial turf has high reproducibility, and there are various types of products depending on the application. We spent a lot of time selecting the ones that are suitable for this space. In addition to the visual aspects such as the shade of green and the degree of dry grass mixed, we also pay attention to textures such as the softness when walking or touching, and the comfort when lying down.

In addition, durability that will not deteriorate for as long as possible after the facility opens, and construction aspects that will ensure the beauty of Tenbou-no-oka's curvilinear design are also important factors. We asked for the cooperation of our in-house construction team and decided on areas that designers alone tend to overlook through repeated discussions.

The space welcomes families raising children!

Noda
In addition to creating an attractive space as an observatory, creating a space that satisfies families raising children is one of the elements that we were strongly aware of in this renewal. Please tell us a little more about how you felt.

 

Murata
I felt that this is a facility that caters to the needs of babies, infants, and toddlers of all ages. In addition to the nursing room and kids space, there are various places where you can move around and relax with your children, so mothers with siblings and children of different ages can enjoy spending time together. is.

I would like to take up the nursing room from a mom's point of view. I felt that the facilities were substantial and it was really reassuring. When I go to a downtown area like Ikebukuro with my child, I always wonder where to get milk. Tenbo Park's nursing room is well-equipped and has a nice space, so when you get lost, you'll want to rush in.

It must have been made by someone who knows a lot about child-rearing, so I was able to feel that the facility accepts families like us raising children.

In my experience, children over the age of 3 are welcome at theme parks and outing spots in the city center, but I have the impression that children younger than that often find it difficult to play. However, if you have siblings, it is difficult to satisfy both of them, so you may feel like giving up on small children.

However, I was happy that Tenbo Park, like a park, has an atmosphere where you can use the facility in various situations without worrying about other people.

 

Mukaemachi
The thought of a child-rearing family is a point that we, of course, have a strong commitment to the donor. I was especially particular about the nursing room (laughs). In considering how to create an environment that involves children, we asked Combiwith Co., Ltd.*1 and members of TeamM*2, who are professionals in the field, for advice.

As a design approach, we interviewed the issues of existing nursing rooms in several locations throughout Sunshine City, summarized the solutions, and incorporated them into Tenbo Park's nursing rooms.
Although we were not able to secure a satisfactory size due to adjustment with the observatory space, we were able to provide the necessary amenity functions. Also, in order to enhance the appeal of the space as a nursing room, we placed a sofa instead of a functional chair for nursing, and we were very conscious of creating a comfortable environment.

In addition, in light of the recent childcare environment, we devised a pale pale tone color instead of pink or blue to create a sense of unity with Tenbo Park, so that both parents can use the nursing room regardless of whether they are mothers or fathers.

An indoor park that overcomes the park's weaknesses and can be enjoyed even in bad weather

Noda
Mr. Ichikawa, how was your experience with the facility?

Ichikawa
I was involved in the last renewal, so I will talk about my experience at that time. First of all, I think that the major problem with the observatory as a facility to attract visitors is that the number of visitors drops significantly during bad weather.

In the previous renewal, as a solution to this problem, we adopted a digital theme based on the era, which was the dawn of digital and interactive content. I thought that a good facility called "indoor observation park that can be enjoyed even in bad weather" was created.

After all, having a baby means more opportunities to go to the park. In the summer and winter, even if the children are playing happily, it is hard for the parents to keep an eye on them because it is cold. . Also, I'm pregnant now, so it's difficult to move around freely, and I'm worried about going out of sight of my baby alone.

Tenbo Park will eliminate such negative feelings about parks, so it's a facility I'd like to recommend to parents who are raising children.

Noda
Certainly, the comparison with the previous renewal is interesting.

Last time, we divided the entire observatory into multiple zones and placed content with strong attractions and entertainment elements in each zone, but this time we have a simple space structure that makes it easy to feel the one theme of the park.

Also, I think the role of digital is changing significantly. In the previous renewal, we incorporated many visual digital technologies such as signage and VR, but this time we mainly incorporate technologies that stimulate the five senses other than sight, such as sounds and scents. Furthermore, in order to enjoy the night view, the lights are turned down to the last minute after sunset.

The difference from the last time may be the result of the owner's desire to return to the origin of the observatory to "enjoy the scenery" and consider how the facility should be.

Ichikawa
My son and I have visited the pre-renovation observatory, and while we repeatedly enjoyed the content we liked, there were also age-restricted experiences such as VR. Compared to that time, my son seemed to be walking around freely in Tenbo Park, so I felt that he was enjoying the whole space. My son seemed to especially like the space where the cushions are stacked in three stages.

Mukaemachi
For this renewal, we designed a variety of seating spaces. The thing I was most concerned about was safety. We wanted it to be a place for both adults and children to sit and play, so we worked with a playground equipment manufacturer to design it with safety in mind.

In addition, as a response to babies, who are delicate in terms of safety, we have set up a high-high space with an age limit of 1 and a half years old. We also designed a variety of seating spaces that utilize cushions and nets as playgrounds for children aged one and a half years and older.

The observatory connects you to the city

Lastly, I would like to ask both of you, if you live in Tokyo, please tell us what you thought and felt when you went to the observatory in Tokyo.

Murata
When I heard the word “Observatory”, I had a strong image of a tourist attraction.

However, when I actually came this time, I was overwhelmed by the scenery that jumped into my eyes only after the elevator doors opened. Even I, who lives in Tokyo, felt like I was out of the ordinary, and I think I was able to enjoy the scenery and space as if I had returned to my childhood.

Ichikawa
When you think of an observatory in Tokyo, memories of a date spot come to mind, but with this renewal, Tenbo Park has become a place where everyone can casually visit in various situations, as an extraordinary place in everyday life. I feel

I enjoyed it with my family today, but if you have a chance to come to Ikebukuro for work, you can use it like a familiar park, such as taking a break at a cafe for a change.

 

Noda
Murata-san and I had the impression that the observatory was a tourist spot and a place to climb once.

However, as I frequently visited the city of Ikebukuro and this observatory during the project period, I came to think that the observatory is something that connects me with the city. A bird's-eye view of the distance and positional relationship between the townscape of Ikebukuro and other areas (Shibuya, Shinjuku, etc.) that can be seen from the observatory, the existence of shrines and parks that you might not notice just by walking around the city, and their size. I want to know more about Ikebukuro! I want to go to more places! I feel that my attachment to the city has grown stronger as my motivation increases.

Tenbo Park is strongly aware of its connection with the city of Ikebukuro. Inspired by the "comfortable park with lawn" in Toshima Ward, which is promoting urban development centered on four parks, we will create a comfortable and open park-like facility that you will want to visit again and again. I am aiming.

I think that there are new realizations and discoveries that you can feel when you climb the observatory because you are a person who lives and works in Tokyo like the two of you today. Parents and children are of course welcome, but I think it's a space that people of all ages can enjoy. Thank you very much to both of you for your time today.

*1
"Combiwith Co., Ltd."
Comfortable outings for moms and dads who are raising children. We provide support for fun outings with children and childcare services that parents and children can feel at ease.
https://www.combiwith.co.jp/

*2
"Team M"
Aiming to create a comfortable space for both children and adults, this team consists of NOMURA Co., Ltd. employees who have taken childcare leave. Utilizing various expertise such as planning, design, project manager, etc., we will create a "place" and "structure" for the children of the future.
https://www.teamm.jp/jp/