ryue nishizawa: kumamoto station east exit square

'kumamoto station east exit square' by office of ryue nishizawa, kumamoto prefecture, japan
all images © office of ryue nishizawa


tokyo-based ryue nishizawa has completed the first of a series of structures at the kumamoto station east exit station square in japan.
the project is part of a larger redevelopment of the station, which is expanding to accommodate the integration of the
kyushu shinkansen high speed train.

the design, which currently consists of one structure, attempts to generate a calming, park-like square where visitors can
find ease in the complex environment that deals with mass transit. ultimately, the site will be composed of multiple roofs,
all meandering and organic in shape, that will protect against strong sun and rain common in the region.



sheltered pavilion


the flat concrete roofs seem to float in the air, delicately hovering above the people and the landscape with the support of
only a few simple pillars. the resulting image - derived from the flow lines created by the movement of both the vehicles
and the people - is of cloud-like shapes that interact with each other and contrast the surrounding built environment.
flexible and unstructured, the free-form curves allow for a certain flexibility that can meet the unexpected changes,
existent in such a dynamic  convergence of different functions.



east exit square


void of walls, the pavilion provides views in every direction, allowing the city to be seen in as a panoramic .
using the city as a backdrop, the space appears to frame the activity and action which is taking place just beyond its
protected perimeters.



aerial view


the negative spaces between each form will be filled with vegetation, helping to calm the bustling atmosphere and
noisy surroundings. by inter-weaving these various components - protection, sunshine, nature - the design aims to
create a rich public space which will eventually become an independent cityscape valued for its attributes.

the final composition will be finished in conjunction with the rest of the station in 2018.



site plan of entire development, not yet complete



roof plan



section