Creating a town that connects to the future - spatial design for the housing brand "BAUS" that depicts new lifestyles for 659 homes
The “(Tentative) Tokorozawa-Kotesashi 1-Chome Project” in Tokorozawa, Saitama, includes a large 659-unit condominium, Baus Tokorozawa Kotesashi Tower, by Chuo Nihon Tochi Tatemono.
In this article, we spoke to Shinya Shiroyama (hereinafter referred to as Mr. Shiroyama), the Chuo Nippon Land and Building Co., Ltd. representative who is leading the project, about the background to the development, his thoughts on creating the space, and his outlook for the future.
Aiming to be a town that is rooted in the community and passed on to the future
"BAUS" is a housing brand that allows residents to live each day in their own way and to live a richer life. "A home that inspires emotion. To achieve this goal, we pursue timeless quality, functionality, and design while also incorporating unique, innovative elements to propose homes that have a positive impact on society.
The "Tokorozawa City Kotesashicho 1-chome Project (tentative name)" is a mixed-use development consisting of two buildings, one residential and one commercial. The condominium portion will be the largest in Saitama Prefecture, with 29 floors above ground and a total of 659 units. Construction is scheduled for completion in December 2027, with occupancy scheduled to begin in March 2028. In addition, the commercial building is scheduled to be completed in November 2026 and open in December 2026.
* Listed on the Baus Tokorozawa Kotesashi Tower website
Chuo Nippon Land and Building, which has been engaged in urban development and housing projects for many years, has incorporated a strong desire for the Kotesashi site to develop a town that will grow together with the local community and connect to future generations. Taking advantage of the green environment while being close to the station, we aim to create a home that harmonizes diverse lifestyles, including family time, personal hobbies, and involvement with the local community.
Shiroyama: We have been involved in joint development of large-scale condominiums in the past, but this is the first time that our company has led a development of this scale. That's why this project is so important to us. The project will breathe new life into the site of Seiyu, a commercial facility that was once a popular local favorite for many years. Because this is a place that has been widely loved as the face of the town, we hope that the new apartments and facilities will also be loved by local residents. We are not just engaged in real estate development, but are working from the perspective of urban development.
A symbolic initiative that embodies this idea is the public space that will be set up on the premises. The site will host regular markets where local residents and new residents can interact, and will also be available for rental when there is demand for events, with high hopes that it will serve as a place to revitalize the community and create a lively atmosphere in the town.
In addition, as a consideration for the ecosystem of existing vegetation and animals, we are also focusing on creating green spaces aimed at creating biotopes. The building has also obtained the environmentally friendly design certification "ABINC," and aims to create a lifestyle in which people and nature coexist.
Inspired by TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE, we collaborated
Baus Tokorozawa Kotesashi Tower has also placed great emphasis on increasing the value of its shared spaces. The background to this was thorough comparison and research with other condominiums in Tokorozawa City.
Shiroyama: Compared to other nearby tower apartment buildings, we felt we wanted to pursue uniqueness by focusing on shared facilities. Since this is a place where many residents gather, we thought that it would be a comfortable space if there was a third place where interactions would naturally occur as part of daily life and where residents themselves would feel glad that this place existed.
During our many on-site inspections, we came across TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE Gran Emio Tokorozawa, which is being managed by CCC, and were inspired by the idea of creating a space. People of all ages were using the book browsing area inside the store, as well as the cafe seats and terrace seats, in their own way, and it seemed like they were enjoying themselves. I felt that such a space should be created within an apartment building, so I immediately proposed the idea to those involved in the project.
As I continued researching TSUTAYA BOOKS, I came across an article that said, "It was a long-awaited store in a town that didn't have a bookstore."The lack of large bookstores in the area is similar to the area around Kotesashi Station, and we thought that if we could create a comfortable space that blends in with books, it would become a shared facility that residents would use on a daily basis, and they would feel more attached to the home they live in.
After consulting with the CCC Group, we were very impressed with their approach, which went beyond simply placing books, to providing comprehensive proposals on book selection and spatial design. We saw great value in the ability to create a home with a consistent design, and decided to officially hire them.
Shared spaces provide experiences that enrich life
This time, we were asked to work in the following areas:
• Proposing home appliances that fit your lifestyle
• Art selection and installation in common areas
• Book direction and reading experience design
• Direction of the entire space designed for comfortably enjoying personal time
Shiroyama: Because common areas are often used by guests other than residents, we believe they should be spaces that make people want to invite others over. To that end, the party room has been outfitted with a self-service server compatible with the We Proudly Serve Starbucks® coffee program, the first of its kind in Saitama Prefecture, as well as billiards and table tennis equipment for residents to enjoy.
All of these elements were selected from the perspective of how much spiritual enrichment they can bring to your life. For example, art and book direction are designed to stimulate residents' sensibilities and bring small realizations and inspiration to their daily lives. Home appliances are selected not only for their ease of use, but also for their functionality in providing an inspiring experience.
A place where communities take root
When occupancy begins in March 2028 (planned), approximately 1,000 new residents will join the town. This is truly a turning point that will change the landscape of the region itself.
Events and initiatives that are initially led by businesses will eventually be run independently by residents and gradually grow into the heart of the local community. With this future in mind, the project is progressing steadily.
Shiroyama: We offer a comfortable space and experience for everyone, from residents and local residents to visitors, and propose a new lifestyle. Through this spatial design, we aim for the project to function as a base where residents can naturally blend into the local community and help develop the town together with the local residents.
We sincerely hope that this will become a place that will be loved by the local community for a long time, as a place that will connect to the future.
