Yokohama’s Osanbashi Pier has been
a fixture on the Tokyo Bay since 1894,
connecting with the Pacific Ocean and
providing Japan with a marine gateway
to the world. In 1988 the pier fell under
construction and in 1996 a competition
was held for a new passenger terminal. The
Foreign Office Architects (FOA) won the
competition and the new terminal should
be fully realized by November of 2002.
The steel frame structure was designed with
the beautiful scenery of the port in mind. It
is a three level facility of a gentle curved
form. The occupiable roof curves back
in to form the ceiling of the level below
and then again to form the floor. The
inside space is barrier free without columns
or beams and the vertical circulation is
accomplished through ramps and elevators