sugawaradaisuke enlivens japanese town with biophilic, semi-outdoor gym

‘farm station gym’ by sugawaradaisuke 

In the Japanese town of Chiba, Sugawaradaisuke has built a park-inspired workout facility dubbed the ‘Farm Station Gym.’ Completed in 2020 following the Covid-19 pandemic, the project responds to an overall increase in running and jogging activities in people’s hometowns as gyms and similar facilities were either closed down or restricted for use during the peak of the Coronavirus spread.

‘We, therefore, planned and developed this project to provide a local health hub where ‘my town is a gym’ by offering exercise opportunities to those who lack exercise, and for local runners to reinforce their aerobic exercise,’ comments the architectural studio.

For the ‘Farm Station Gym,’ three companies joined forces to share their know-how in creating farms, sports facilities, and community-based spaces, pushing for a human and nature coexistence. The result is an affordable and ‘green’ workout hub where the risk of infection runs low and where men and women of all ages can drop by to exercise.

all images © Daisuke Sugawara

turning the town into a green and safe workout space 

In addition to planting and installing a large roof, the team at Sugawaradaisuke used wood for the entrance facade, benches, and other areas that people come into contact with, creating a biophilic atmosphere that heals not only the body but also the mind.

A steel structure defines the overall ‘Farm Station Gym,’ with a rooftop that floats broadly over the mixed-use green belt found in the town of Chiba. ‘Its design blends in with the townscape through the use of landscape colors and natural materials. This provides a comfortable exercise environment for users and a good landscape for the local residents,’ continues the architects.

‘Farm Station Gym’ in Chiba, Japan 

While full-scale outdoor workout spaces are not found in Japan, the country does host unstaffed gyms, including those open 24 hours a day. However, since this building connects to the individual home, no lockers or showers were required to be installed, therefore minimizing any problems inherent in unstaffed facilities and allowing the gym to be operated safely. Meanwhile, benches and planting around the perimeter provide new social spaces within and around for the local community to enjoy. 

‘This project provides an inexpensive way to improve the community’s health physically and mentally regardless of age, sex, etc. and contributes to the local community by turning one’s entire town into a gym. Because there is concern that recent law reformation will reduce green spaces in favor of town development, we aim to reduce the initial cost of this project and make it a viable option for landowners who are worried about using agricultural lands as green space, thereby serving as a role-model in protecting the local economy, community and landscape,’ concludes Sugawaradaisuke. 

a semi-outdoor gym that connects to the town 

reception area

a safe and fully accessible workout space 

the gym is open to anyone and at any time

using vivid wooden tones across the gym 

project info:

name: Farm Station Gym 

location: Chiba, Japan 

design period: 06.2019 – 01.2020

construction period: 11.2019 – 07.2020

architecture: Sugawaradaisuke Architects Inc.

lead architects: Daisuke Sugawara, Yuki Nakao

construction: JSC Corporation

photography: Daisuke Sugawara