New Yamanote Line station to be designed by Kengo Kuma

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Friday, 9th September 2016
In Japan Travel News,

New Yamanote Line station to be designed by Kengo Kuma

Prominent architect Kengo Kuma will design the new station on the Yamanote Line in Tokyo, East Japan Railway Co (JR East) has announced.

The latest addition will become the 30th station on the line, which connects many of the city’s most important destinations.

It will sit between the Shinagawa and Tamachi stations, reports Sankei Shimbun, and is expected to be completed by the spring of 2020.

JR East released a design overview of the station earlier this week, showing how Kuma has interpreted the brief.

It will consist of three storeys and allow in plenty of natural light, due to glass walls, although an open ceiling space will be created above the platforms.

Each of the floors will have its own purpose, with platforms on the first, ticket gates and event spaces on the second and finally, shops and a terrace area on the third.

Kuma has been inspired by the traditional Japanese craft of origami in his design, as well as shoji, the room dividers that have been used in the country for centuries.

Passengers will be able to transfer to the Toei Asakusa Line’s Sengakuji station, just 300 metres away, once JR East has carried out some necessary adjustments.

It is hoped that the new station will provide the impetus for regeneration in the area, which is currently a train depot and storage yards.

With the transport infrastructure in place, there will be the opportunity to attract foreign investment, which could lead to a new business hub being created.

By 2024, the 13 hectares surrounding the station could be full of high-rise offices, commercial facilities and top-level accommodation.

Prior to the go-ahead for the new station, the last one to be added to the Yamanote Line was back in 1971 when Nishi-Nippori was opened to the public.

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New Yamanote Line station to be designed by Kengo Kuma

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