The Nobeoka Station Area Development Project, including the Nobeoka Station complex "Encross," won the 2020 Good Design Award "Gold Award."

2020.10.30 Press Releases
Culture Convenience Club Co., Ltd.

-In the public architecture and space classification, it was evaluated as "creating a new public space while building relationships with the local community"-

We are pleased to announce that Encross (hereinafter referred to as "Encross"; address: 5-4266 Saiwai-cho 3-chome, Nobeoka City, Miyazaki Prefecture), a complex in front of Nobeoka Station in Nobeoka City, Miyazaki Prefecture (Mayor: Yoji Yomitanyama; hereinafter referred to as "Nobeoka City"), which Culture Convenience Club Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "CCC") has been contracted to operate as the designated manager, has been awarded the Good Design Award Best 100 and the Gold Award as part of the "Nobeoka Station Area Development Project" architectural project in the 2020 Good Design Awards sponsored by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion, a public interest incorporated foundation. This is the second time that Culture Convenience Club Co., Ltd. has won the Gold Award, following the award given to Takeo City Library and Historical Museum in 2013.

The Nobeoka Station Area Development Project will include the development of a variety of facilities, including a complex, station building, free passageway, and station plaza. By seamlessly linking the hard and soft aspects (community design and programs) and operational design, the facility was designed to function not only as a transportation hub, but also as a place for residents to relax and a gateway to welcome visitors.

Encross opened in April 2018 as a place where anyone can spend their time freely and with their own ideas, for a variety of purposes, including as a waiting area for public transportation, a book reading space with TSUTAYA BOOKS and Starbucks Coffee, and a place for hobbies and child-rearing. Encross, based on the concept of "a new and free town," is used by citizens 365 days a year as a place for civic activities to create excitement in the center of town.

As of the end of September 2020, approximately two and a half years after its opening, the number of visitors was 2.71 million. A total of 1,951 civic activities and independent projects have been held at Encross, and 215 civic activists have registered their activities. A wide variety of civic activities are carried out every day both inside and outside the building. The name "Encross" combines the "en" of Nobeoka with the "connections" between people, and is meant to convey the hope that the facility will become a place where many people can meet, cross paths, and come and go.As such, many people use the facility and form a variety of connections. Those who have used the facility have given positive feedback, with comments such as "It brings more activity to the area in front of the station," "It creates a cultural and intellectual atmosphere," and "I can read a book while drinking coffee."

The Good Design Award is announced annually by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion, a public foundation, and is evaluated not only on the merits of the design, but also on how the design has changed people's lives and society.

"Encross" is In the "Public Architecture and Space" category, Nobeoka City, Kumiko Inui Architectural Design Office, Ltd., Nobeoka Design Union Cooperative, studio-L Co., Ltd., Ueda, Kodama, Tomoyuki & Kume Specific Construction Joint Venture, Kyushu Railway Company, and Culture Convenience Club Co., Ltd. were awarded the Gold Award. The judges commented, "Rather than simply building a new building, the project has held a series of workshops with local residents and built relationships with the local community, creating a new public space. " This was the evaluation that led to this award.

Encouraged by winning the Good Design Gold Award, Encross will continue to innovate, reflecting the opinions of visitors and users, in order to realize its concept of a "new and free town."

[Reference materials]
On receiving the Good Design Award, Nobeoka Station Area Development Project Comments from the judges on the film

The Nobeoka Station area development project was not just about creating a new building, but also involved holding workshops with local residents and building relationships with the local community to create a new public space. In addition to a waiting room, the facility also includes a Starbucks, a local specialty goods store, and children's services on the first floor, and TSUTAYA BOOKS on the second floor, bringing a lively atmosphere to the area in front of the station. The architecture has a low ceiling height on the first floor, while the second floor is a spacious space with a height of 3.9m, leading to a neat composition and proportions.

What is particularly noteworthy is that the simple design of the old station building built during the Japan National Railways era has been respected and carried over into the modern design. Currently, there are more excellent contemporary buildings in Japan's regional cities than in Tokyo, and this project is symbolic of this trend.

Overview of the "Encross" complex in front of Nobeoka Station

Name: Encross, a complex facility in front of Nobeoka Station
Address: 5-4266 Saiwai-cho 3-chome, Nobeoka City, Miyazaki Prefecture, 882-0053
Structure: RC construction, PC construction, some S construction
Site area: 8,878.69㎡
Total floor area: 1,659.54㎡
Completion year: 2018
Design: Kumiko Inui Architectural Design Office, Ltd.
Construction: Ueda, Kodama, Tomoyuki, and Kume, a joint venture for specific construction work
Client: Nobeoka City
Phone 0982-20-3900
FAX 0982-20-3911
Opening hours: 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM (Waiting area only, open from 5:00 AM)
Closed days Open all year round
Designated manager: Culture Convenience Club Co., Ltd.

Materials related to this matter

The Nobeoka Station Area Development Project, including the Nobeoka Station complex "Encross," won the 2020 Good Design Award "Gold Award."

Inquiries regarding this matter
Culture Convenience Club Co., Ltd. Public Relations / 03-6800-3570