Action · Bridge · Changxia River
Xingqiao City, located approximately 25 kilometers southeast of Kitakyushu City, has a population of around 70,000. It has developed into a residential area adjacent to Kitakyushu. The name “Xingqiao” combines the character “Xing” from the former Xingshi Village, prior to urban-rural integration, and “Qiao” from the original Daqiao Village.
During the Edo period, this area served as a relay station connecting Kokura Castle and Nakatsu Castle along Nakatsu Street. The region benefits from the plentiful water transportation resources provided by the Changxia River. As the largest rice-producing area within the Kokura Domain, it supported the prosperity of Kokura Castle. The original Bai30 Bank Hangqiao Branch (now known as the Bridge Red Brick Building), overseen by the Chenno Kataoka Office led by architect Kingo Chenno, reflects the economic strength of the area at that time. The historical significance of actions and bridges still influences the region today.
△ Map of Yuanxingqiao City
Facility Functions
The Librio Pedestrian Bridge is a multifunctional facility centered around the city library, with additional support for civic cultural activity centers and daycare services. It not only enhances visitor attraction through the library but also acts as a catalyst to invigorate the city center, offering visitors contrasting experiences of “liveliness” and “tranquility.”
© Yukihashi Innovation Corporation
Twist Cube – Layering the Future onto History
This building sits on the right bank of the Changxia River, which marks the boundary between two villages. It faces the historic residence of Kashiwagi Kanshiro, a wooden wax merchant whose family legacy spans generations.
The four-story structure is divided into two parts—lower and upper floors—twisted at the midpoint. The lower section faces the historic Red Brick Building, honoring the historical relationship between the areas. Meanwhile, the design integrates the urban layout of the original Daqiao Village behind the facility, welcoming new residents and revitalizing the city. The upper floors face the Changxia River, offering views that complement the streetscape of Yuanxing Village across the river.
© Yukihashi Innovation Corporation
This twisted cube design not only maximizes the irregular shape of the site but also embodies the concept of layering a new future upon the area’s historical foundation.
© New Photography Workshop by Hiroshi Horiuchi
Structure and Interior Design
The building’s upper section is constructed with a steel frame, enabling the cube to be suspended above. The lower portion uses a steel frame reinforced concrete structure to effectively support the stresses from above. This design balances the building’s twisting form, spatial continuity, cost efficiency, and seismic performance.
△ Structural Diagram
△ Bird’s-eye View Model
© New Photography Workshop by Hiroshi Horiuchi
We implemented innovative interior structural design by adopting a color-fading scheme and incorporating subtle lighting inspired by the Changxia River’s gentle glow into the floor patterns.
© New Photography Workshop by Hiroshi Horiuchi
Additionally, bright color accents in elevator areas across each floor emphasize the spatial continuity of the fourth floor.
© New Photography Workshop by Hiroshi Horiuchi
△ First Floor Spatial Layout Plan
△ Second Floor Spatial Layout Plan
△ Third Floor Spatial Layout Plan
△ Fourth Floor Spatial Layout Plan
△ First Floor Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
△ Third Floor Plan
△ Fourth Floor Plan
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Section 1
△ Section 2
△ Facility Composition
Project Information
Name: Librio Bridge
Location: Xingqiao City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan
Main Purpose: Library
Floor Area: 3,182.07 square meters
Building Land Area: 2,151.19 square meters
Total Construction Area: 5,143.46 square meters
Floors: 4
Structure: SRC + Steel
Completion Date: February 2020
Design Period: November 2017 to October 2018
Construction Period: November 2018 to February 2020
Design: Mikami Architects
Chief Designer: Kazuhiko Yoshiko
Architecture: Mikami Architects (Team: Taketoshi Tomita, Tomohiko Oi, Yuta Tanaka, Yada Duan, Takahira Saito, Katsuya Fujimoto, Takahashi Takuharu, Kimei Itoyama Hiroshi)
Structure: Mikami Architects (Team: Katsuyori Kurashiki, Yusuke Yoshikawa)
Lighting and Mechanical Equipment: Kajima Construction Co., Ltd. Kyushu Branch (Team: Hamamoto, Anda Guangping)
Construction: Kashima Corporation Kyushu Branch
Photography: Hiroshi Horiuchi, Yukihashi Innovation Co., Ltd.
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up