Za-Koenji Public Theatre

"Intentionally closed off, in order to open up."

— This is how Toyo Ito, the architect of Za-Koenji Public Theatre, describes his project. The structure resembles a black iceberg, with three floors above ground and three hidden underground.

When designing the building, Ito drew inspiration from childhood memories of visiting circuses. In his book "The Transformation of Architecture" (『建築の大転換』, 2011), he recalls growing up in a small town with few entertainment options. Whenever a circus tent appeared, it was a moment of great excitement—everyone eagerly anticipated the mysterious performances inside. For Ito and other children, the circus was a magical and captivating experience. With Za-Koenji, he aimed to recreate that sense of mystery and anticipation in the middle of bustling Tokyo, making passersby wonder about the extraordinary events taking place inside.

The "closed" nature of the building is also a response to its urban surroundings and acoustic needs—the site is surrounded by train tracks, roads, and dense city structures.
Due to local height restrictions, the main hall, café, and office spaces were placed above ground, while the rest of the facilities extend underground. As visitors descend the winding staircases, they lose their sense of the building’s volume, and the lower levels appear brighter and more spacious than the upper floors due to unconventional lighting techniques. Ito describes this experience as "entering a cave."

Za-Koenji serves as a platform for performing arts, with the primary goal of engaging local communities and residents in the cultural life of the area. The theatre is operated by the nonprofit Creative Theatre Network, which includes playwrights, directors, actors, and engineers.