Yokohama, Sept. 28 (Jiji Press)–With about half a year until the opening of the International Horticultural Expo 2027 in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, participating companies are accelerating the construction of signature facilities emphasizing resource circulation and coexistence with nature. With the theme of Scenery of the Future for Happiness, the event featuring gardening and landscaping will be held from March 19 to Sept. 26 at the green-filled site for the U.S. Navy’s former Kamiseya communications facility in the Kanagawa Prefecture capital. Major Japanese general contractor Kajima Corp. is constructing Kajima Tree, a wooden tower as tall as about 60 meters, reusing wood from the Grand Ring, a giant wooden structure that served as the symbol of the 2025 World Exposition held in the city of Osaka, western Japan. An advanced technology to absorb wind and earthquake energy is utilized through the installation of vibration control dampers on wooden columns and beams of the tower. By measuring the influence of wind and other factors, Kajima hopes to use the experience of building the tower for the construction of wooden high-rises in the future. While the exterior of the tower is not processed so that the wood retains the same shade as that at the time of the Osaka Expo, the interior surface of the structure is shaved slightly, allowing visitors to enjoy the visual difference. Taisei Corp., another major Japanese general contractor, is building Taisei Green Terrace, a large wooden observation terrace, at the center of the venue. Works of Japanese photographer Mika Ninagawa will be printed on the floor of a 90-meter-long slope of the observation terrace, which will be decorated with about 100 kinds of plants. A total of 12 kinds of environmental technologies will be introduced, such as wooden frames that allow easy assembly and disassembly and may be reused after the Expo and a system to store rainwater in tanks for irrigation for the plants. The terrace will provide “a view linking flowers and scenery with the sky,” a Taisei official in charge of the event said, adding, “We hope people will enjoy the fusion.” Daiwa House Group will bring together 35 glass parasols, plants and planters to build a facility similar to a kaleidoscope. Water will fill the upper part of the parasols to express the circulation of water. To be created under the parasols are spaces that are comfortable both visually and in terms of sensible temperature, according to the company. “We will create experience values that are integrated with the natural environment,” an official of the major Japanese homebuilder said. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
