Urban Development Starting from Stations | Contributing to Regional Revitalization Based on Membrane Structures

As the core hub of the region and the center of future urban development, stations are attracting greater expectations than ever before. In addition to being a hub for regional transportation, stations can also serve as a disaster prevention center in the event of a disaster, and as the core of a regional community, they can provide an environment where people can easily gather. This is because it is believed to be important to solve the problems of aging and hollowing out of the central city and to consider sustainable urban development.

New relationship between the city and the station

Stations are not only transportation hubs, but also hubs that connect towns and people, and people and regions, and perform a variety of functions. What kind of presence should stations have in the city? What functions are required today? Just as the meaning of the existence of a station is diversifying, our products and technologies, such as membrane structures and TM trusses, are not merely meaningful for their functions. Rather, what we are keenly aware of is the value of the space created by them. For example, the purpose of installing a membrane roof is not only to shelter from the wind and rain, but also to enhance the convenience and comfort of users and to create a lively atmosphere in the station and the town. Our mission is to enhance and maximize the functionality of such stations.

Regional icon, city landmark | Symbolic station space design made possible by membranes

A station is not only a key transportation hub, but also the face of the city. A beautiful station is a landmark of the city and a source of pride and pleasure for local residents and commuters. Membrane structures are made of light and soft materials, which can be used in a variety of forms, including curves, arches, and complex combinations of these materials. In addition, its high light transparency allows for the use of natural and artificial light to create a sense of space.

Another important feature of membranes is that they do not have an overbearing or oppressive appearance. The Tokyo Station Yaesu Exit Grand Roof is approximately 230 meters long and up to 9 meters wide, and its large, curved shape allows soft light to shine through, providing both protection from wind and rain and sunlight and a sense of openness at the same time. If the brickwork of the Marunouchi side of the building represents its historical significance, the creative design of the Yaesu side is an icon that symbolizes “the future of Tokyo.

The Takanawa Gateway Station, the first new station on the Yamanote Line in half a century and a new gateway to the international city of Tokyo, has a TM truss structure with a membrane roof that is folded to create a space of “origami,” a symbol of harmony and hospitality that is uniquely Japanese. Although man-made, the membrane is not overbearing to the surrounding landscape, and can be adapted to various shapes, making it an architectural material that greatly expands the scope of station space design as a regional icon and city landmark.

grand roof

Design: Nikken Sekkei/JRE Sekkei JV ・Principal Contractor: Kajima Corporation

 

Takanawa Gateway Station

Design: East Japan Railway Company / Kengo Kuma Architectural & Urban Design Office (Design Supervisor) ・ Prime Contractor: Obayashi Corporation / Tekken Corporation JV

Communication Using Light | Stations as Media with Information Transmission Functions

A major feature of the membrane structure is its translucency. During the day, natural light is softly diffused to create a bright space inside, and at night, internal and indirect lighting creates a mysterious effect as if the station itself were luminous. At commercial facilities that actively utilize this affinity between membrane and light, LEDs built into the interior illuminate the membrane, changing the overall impression of the building in accordance with the seasons and seasons of the year, and successfully attracting more attention and customers to the facility.

This nighttime illumination is also effective at train stations, where it is expected to improve visibility and increase security by brightening the entire plaza in front of the station. By utilizing the affinity between the membrane and light, for example, administrative information, local information, and disaster prevention information can be displayed on the membrane, and the station itself can become a media outlet for information dissemination. By actively communicating with residents and users, the significance of the station’s existence will be further enhanced, and its ability to provide information, especially in times of disaster, will greatly contribute to the safety and security of the community.

Easy to add functions to existing station facilities | Small changes create large value

Taiyo Kogyo has extensive experience and expertise not only in new construction and large-scale renovation of stations, but also in small-scale renovations such as adding functions to existing facilities.

The combination of TM truss structure and membranes is particularly advantageous for new roof spaces in limited spaces. The combination of a simple and lightweight structure with a membrane further reduces the overall weight, making it possible to construct and install in a variety of locations. For example, if you want to create a sheltered space at a station exit to expand the area where people can stay in the event of rain because they are blocking the passage, you can create a space that maximizes the site area without affecting the existing facilities. The same is true for pedestrian decks connecting stations and surrounding commercial facilities.

In addition, TM Truss is a systematized unit construction method based on factory-produced parts, eliminating the need for large heavy machinery. The trusses can be easily transported to narrow lots, and the impact on existing facilities and changes in the flow line of station users caused by construction can be minimized. The installation of the roof has increased the flow from the station to the commercial facilities. As in the case of the elimination of congestion at entrances and exits during stormy weather and the smoothing of the flow of people, the addition of even a small function can make a big difference in convenience for users and often change the flow of people. Small changes create great value. This is one of the contributions to stations that Taiyo Kogyo can make.

 

About TM Truss Products>> About TM Truss

Interaction, Disaster Prevention, Landscape, Hub | Station Plaza Becomes Regional Infrastructure

In considering the connection between the station and the community, the development of the station square plays an important role along with the station. In addition to serving as a transfer point for other modes of transportation such as trains, buses, cabs, passenger cars, and bicycles, and as a transportation node from the station to the city center, and vice versa, the station square is expected to function as an urban infrastructure that provides “urban hub,” “exchange,” “landscape,” “service,” and “disaster prevention” services to the community. The reason is that the station is expected to function as an urban plaza that serves as an infrastructure for the local community. Specifically, pedestrian movement with less up-and-down movement and steps. The flow lines for cars and pedestrians, public transportation and passenger cars must be separated, and the guidance system must be easy to understand.

From this perspective, the most commonly used form in recent years is a circular or oval-shaped traffic island with buses and cab bays at its center. Membrane structures also have advantages in such curvilinear flat layouts. For example, the system shelter, which is available in various design variations such as a boomerang structure, can accommodate any curvilinear layout to create a seamless long roof. The lightweight nature of the membrane allows the shelter to protrude from a single pillar on one side, ensuring continuity of pedestrian flow, and also allows the shelter to protrude toward the street, making it more convenient to get in and out of the building during rainy weather. The small number of pillars also improves visibility, and enhances the guidance function for the elderly and other visitors.

The continuous installation of such shelters in the station plaza not only provides shelter from rain and sunlight, but also serves as an intuitive guide to the transit line. Furthermore, the combination of street lighting and membrane lighting will brighten the plaza and improve crime prevention and safety around the station. In addition, the creation of spaces with membrane roofs, such as rest areas and event squares for community interaction, can create a lively atmosphere and further enhance the functionality of the plaza as an urban plaza. The station has also established a center for interaction where children, adults, and the elderly can gather, and is working to expand the bustling atmosphere generated by such a center into the city center.

 

About System Shelter>>System Shelter

Summary | Connections and liveliness created in front of stations

駅、そして駅前広場を活性化し、より積極的に地域とのつながり、賑わいを生み出す。まさに今、駅に求められるのは交通機能だけではなく、地域の顔、都市のインフラとしての機能です。その期待は駅の持つポテンシャルが、現在果たしているもの以上に大きいことの証でもあります。駅は街にとってまだまだ大きな可能性が残されている。私たちは膜建築を通して、その可能性の高度化・最大化に貢献していきます。

前記の企画品だけでなく、独自デザインへの対応など、太陽工業ではお客様からのあらゆるニーズに応えてまいります。シェルターの持つ優れた機能性とデザイン性で駅前、公園、広場、施設の快適性、美しさを高め、住みやすい街づくりに貢献してまいります。