shigeru ban’s onagawa railway station features public baths

shigeru ban’s onagawa railway station features public baths
all images courtesy of shigeru ban architects

the onagawa railway station has reopened in the japanese prefecture of miyagi, almost four years to the day since it was destroyed in the devastating earthquake of 2011. designed by shigeru ban, the terminus reconnects the community with the surrounding region, and is intended to be the focal point of the town’s ongoing redevelopment.

local residents were invited to hand-paint tiles that were subsequently made into murals

the building is topped with a fluid undulating canopy, while shigeru ban’s trademark latticed roof structure is visible throughout the project’s interior. as well as serving as a train terminal, the scheme also contains a public bathhouse alongside additional community amenities. as part of the design, local residents involved in the site’s recovery were invited to hand-paint tiles that were subsequently made into two murals that decorate the spa areas.

the entrance to the renovated structure

pale timbers are used throughout the scheme

shigeru ban’s trademark latticed roof structure is visible throughout the project’s interior

a large plaza is positioned adjacent to the terminal building