Railway stations are places that are used by large numbers of people every day. They cannot rest even for one day. Though the world changes rapidly, stations cannot change so easily. And so even today they preserve within their space the assumptions of the age in which they were built. Existing stations have undergone repeated minor changes to complement these assumptions, but contradictions can also be seen. The time has come to boldly reconsider what form railway stations should take based on a vision that is focused on the future. Here, we have imagined the station of the future, “Asatte no eki,” as a place that is more open to the community and to users without compromising on existing safe operations.

・Architectural models: “Asatte no eki” ideas that expand the possibilities for each of the 12 Yamanote Line stations will be displayed as compelling, meticulously detailed architectural models (1/50 scale).

・Panels: Will show in graphical form via architectural drawings, illustrations etc how the “Asatte no eki” future stations emerge from the historical, geographical and social backgrounds of each station.

*“Asatte no Eki” are ideas for railway stations of the near future conceived by 38 students from around the world in a joint studio run by Professor Yoshiharu Tsukamoto of Tokyo Institute of Technology, and Professor Sheila Kennedy of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, based on a framework for joint research set up between Tokyo Institute of Technology and JR East.

Yoshiharu Tsukamoto
(Architect / Professor, Tokyo Institute of Technology)

What kinds of people will populate the stations of the future, and how will they approach their lifestyles? “Asatte people” are people imagined based on repeated conversations with a wide range of individuals prompted by the “Asatte no eki” proposal.

The comments also arose from these conversations. When people express their thoughts, they question why they think that way and become aware of the actual associations that gave rise to their thoughts. These associations are also interspersed throughout the exhibition. The comments reflect both new attitudes and unchanged approaches. The associations incorporate both pure ideas and ideas that have already been realized/implemented.

These associations were originally triggered by stations. What will our lifestyles and stations be like in the future? What do we want them to be like? We invite you to think about these questions as if you yourself were one of the “Asatte people.”

・Lifesize human models: Lifesize illustrations of twelve “Asatte people” living at the twelve “Asatte no eki” will welcome visitors and guide them to each of the future stations. Station employees, maintenance crew, train drivers and so on will also be presented as lifesize illustrations.
・Panels: The “Asatte people” will quietly say what they feel and think at each station. Graphics and sound will be used to show key words and reference examples evoked in relation to living and stations, such as the city of Tokyo, challenges in modern society, and technological advances.

Shuichi Fukazawa
(Studio KIKIRIKI)