Fujisawa Smart City in Japan
In previous articles, we explored Japanese designers’ approach to interior design and architecture. By examining various projects developed by different architectural studios, we were able to appreciate bold and unconventional solutions for organizing spaces in harmony with nature. This is the hallmark of Japanese architects.
The global issue of overpopulation today demands fundamentally new approaches to construction. How can we preserve nature in densely built areas while using its resources with minimal harm? In Japan, there is a growing focus on this problem, leading to the creation of innovative projects.

One such intriguing project is the development of a district in Fujisawa. Fujisawa is a small Japanese city in Kanagawa Prefecture. It is a historic city that connected mountain roads to the coast via the Tokaido. It is depicted in one of Ando Hiroshige’s engravings, “The 53 Stations of the Tokaido.” The population of this city increases each year.
The grand opening of the first phase of the “energy-efficient city of the future” took place on November 27, 2014.
Previously, a Panasonic television factory was located on the site of the new eco-district. To develop and construct the new area, the company management decided to relocate the factory, leveling the site and preparing it for the construction of innovative residential buildings.
Today, Fujisawa is considered the only fully environmentally friendly city on the planet.
The central element of the project is the Fujisawa SST Square architectural complex, which manages all the settlement’s infrastructure and energy facilities. Fujisawa consists of around a thousand homes, housing up to three thousand people. The buildings are powered by solar energy. Additionally, water consumption is reduced by a third. Each house is equipped with a solar panel on the roof. The city structure also includes wind generators and geothermal energy systems. Only energy-efficient equipment is installed in the buildings.


The houses are compact in appearance, but the living space is distributed rationally and thoughtfully in terms of architecture. Instead of a network of public transport, which would be a source of harmful emissions and road congestion, an infrastructure for bicycles and electric vehicles has been created. Each house is equipped with a charging station for electric vehicles produced by PanaHome, a division of Panasonic.


Street lighting consists entirely of LED lamps, complemented by modern security systems, including branded surveillance cameras to monitor the surroundings outside the home.
The street lighting systems are equipped with special sensors that activate the lights only when there are people outside during dark hours. In Japan, the harsh climate and the threat of earthquakes often cause concern. The designers of Fujisawa have addressed this issue as well. In the event of a main power outage caused by earthquakes or other disasters, the city can provide itself with energy and hot water for up to three days.

How many problems are solved in one project!
Ideologist company works closely with leading Japanese architectural studios and can offer its clients the development of a customized project that takes into account all the customer’s wishes and construction site features. Adapting the unique Japanese approach to architecture in the Russian Federation is one of the company’s key mission points.