What was the main concept behind the Shibuya Station design? The main concept for the Tokyu-Toyoko Shibuya Station is the idea of a`spaceship` {an hypogenous ship floating deep under the ground}. Thesubway station located 30 meters below ground is composed of a centralvoid contained inside an egg-shaped shell, where we aim to create aspace that explores the essence of both architecture and civilengineering fields. In addition, we also aim to reduce the station’sdependency on air conditioning equipments by letting the outside airblow into the underground space, creating a natural ventilation systemthat is energy saving.What were the challenges and benefits of designing a transportation hub, and one almost completely underground? TheShibuya Station is one of Tokyo’s most important transportation hubs,where several public and private train and subway lines intersect,bringing in an average of 2.5 million people per day that circulatethrough the station. The portion of the station I designed for thismajor hub has an average daily flow of about 400,000 users, so Iintended to give special attention to the smooth circulation of people.The existing underground stations in Tokyo are generally veryconfusing, generating a sense of disorientation, making it verydifficult to find your way and getting around. This is due to the factthat it is very difficult to recognize your own position in relation tothe street level’s world and in addition to the constant shift ofdirection you are forced to make in the labyrinthine underground world.In order to help people’s orientation in this underground world, givingthem a sense of spatial perception and improving the functionality ofthe station, I created a 15 metre central void from concourse level B2to the platform level B5, and wrapped it all up within a symbolicegg-shaped shell. The central void also acts as an important element for the naturalventilation system, enabling the flow of air to reach the entire 30meter below ground space of the station, with reduced support ofmechanical air conditioning system.What is your favourite method of working? Do you produce spacemainly via models, hand drawings, computer, everything, or other ways?When designing, I use various methods and tools to develop the project,such as sketches, computers, and physical models. I choose the mostsuitable and appropriate technique for each phase of the design processbut I invariably start the design with a hand sketch.How do you choose the projects you will work on? What is the main criterion? Idecide to accept and undertake a commission whenever I can find acommon relationship between what I and the client have as vision forthe project, within the limits of what I aim to create and expressthrough architecture. In the case of the Shibuya Station, the TokyuCorporation{ the client} and I had a common ambition and vision ofcreating a station that would have a transcending and timelessattractiveness. What would your ideal project be?The best projects are those originated as result of passionatediscussions of sometimes conflicting ideas between the architect, thecontractors, the craftsmen and a client that has a clear philosophy andvision of what he wants to build.Do you prefer teaching or practicing architecture? I thinkarchitecture is something to be created rather than taught.Architecture students should assimilate and digest the basic concepts,and then build up their own design attitude. How has the perception of architecture changed since you started practicing?Since I consider architecture as something that should gently enclosepeople, providing safety and peace of mind, I have always tried tocreate spaces that satisfy people in a spiritual way. This attitudetowards architecture has been consistent since I started my own careeras an architect.What was your office`s most significant pro
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