Before heading to Tokyo we stopped in Kasugai City for a week to work on a project with students from Chubu University. We worked on teams of 4, with two Chubu students and two Ohio University students. Our project was to re-design Kanayama train station. This is a large transition station where subways and trains all go through this one location. We were faced with the challenge of making this transition place clear, and easy to navigate for locals and tourists. Although it was challenging at first to get past the language barrier all of the teams ended the week with great projects, and life long friends.
From right: Megui, Me, Andrea, Gan, Kevin and Shane
Here is an original image of the Kanayama Station
South Entrance
And here is our final design. Shane, came up with the idea of having graduated steps for the ceiling to allow more light to enter, much like Santiago Calatrava's Winery Ysios Winery
Interior shot of new Kanayama Station
It was a great experience being immersed in life at Chubu University, one of the highlights for everyone was the dining experience. Unlike the usual buffet styling dining in most colleges, at Chubu you pick out what you want to eat by looking at plastic plates of the dishes then at a vending machine you enter the number you want and put in the correct amount of change. From there you are given a ticket with the number on it, and you give it to cooks who makes it right there for you.
I had a great experience at Chubu University and learned a lot from the students about the design process.
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