THE KOGANEI: A Civic Center Reflecting Nature's Blueprint

Kei Miyazaki's Award-Winning Environmental Graphic Design for Koganei Civic Center

The Koganei Civic Center is a multifunctional public facility, housing large and small halls, lecture rooms, and a gallery. The design brief requested the inclusion of elements that would reflect the character of Koganei city. Kei Miyazaki and his team responded by integrating the city's geographical features into the building's design. The shapes of the city's parks and rivers are reflected on several inner walls, creating a unique building identity and wayfinding system.

The design process involved painting on the exposed concrete wall with an airbrush using cutting dies. The stage curtain for the main hall, also designed by the team, features a motif inspired by the roads of Koganei city. This approach not only adds a unique aesthetic element to the building but also serves as a reminder of the city's unique character.

One of the challenges faced by the design team was the need to create a graphic that would complement the building's exposed concrete expression and the unique atmosphere of the main hall. The solution was to focus on the city's geographical features, using these as a motif for the building's characteristic graphic.

The design project, which took place over six months in Tokyo, Japan, was based on extensive research. The team found that facility users often do not view their living area objectively and fail to notice the valuable resources around them in their daily life. This insight led to the decision to incorporate elements of the city's natural environment into the design.

The Koganei Civic Center design was awarded Silver in the A' Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design Award in 2017. The award recognizes top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that illustrate outstanding expertise and innovation. The design was praised for its strong technical characteristics, splendid artistic skill, and its ability to evoke positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.