
first image
the striking pitched roof of the art and culture space under railway in yokohama, japan
image still from video by JA+U
set up in the hollows under the keihin railway tracks located by the former red light district in the kogane-cho area of yokohama japan is a
vibrant art and culture space, developed in an effort to reform the district as debuted in JA+U (Japan Architecture+Urbanism.
government crackdowns have been implemented to transform kogane-cho’s streets from an economically stagnant zone to establish its
reputation as an art lover’s playground - with the city of yokohama and NPO koganecho area management centre leading the cultural metamorphosis.
five architects were invited to work with approximately 100 to 150 m2 (1,080 to 1,615 ft2) of land - resulting in an eclectic hub that intelligently
redefines the obsolete space beneath the elevated railway into a gallery, cafe, studio, and a hall for creators to occupy and present their artwork.
the repackaging of koganecho’s image as an artsy, creative neighborhood is characterised by striking pitched roofs peeking from
under the rattling railway, complemented by peaceful, intuitive rooms that coherently unfold as one moves through the gallery.
the building and its idenity is fortified by the murmuring of the train overhead, pertinently interjecting the placidity throughout the course of the day.

site-a gallery by jun yanagisawa / contemporaries
image still from video by JA+U

site-b cafe by akiko miya and shinpei miki / studio 2A
image still from video by JA+U

passageway between site-b and site-c
image still from video by JA+U

site-c studio by akiko takahashi and hiroshi takahashi/workstation
image still from video by JA+U

looking onto site-d - a meeting space by masao koizumi/koizumi atelier
image still from video by JA+U

the view down the once obsolete street
image still from video by JA+U
video showing the narrative of the space
video © JA+U