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2019.01.08
[Graduate visit] "Thought-through" university days, aiming for architecture that only you can do - First-class architect Keiko Shiono

A series that introduces women who take a step forward and continue to act after graduating from Showa Women's University.
This time, we spoke to Keiko Shiono, who graduated from Showa Women's University and is currently working as a first-class architect.Shiono was impressed by the work of the carpenter who renovated her parents' home when she was in junior high school.Since then, she has decided to become an architect.
Keiko Shiono Chief of Commercial Department 2, Commercial Design Headquarters, JR East Architects After graduating from the Department of Environmental Science and Design, Faculty of Life Science, Showa Women's University in 2010, she entered the Graduate School of Chiba University. Passed first class architect certification in 2016. |
What exactly is a "comfortable space"?

At Showa Women's University, I was passionate about the "design and drafting" assignment.Create a model by drawing a drawing according to the given theme.I used it to give presentations to everyone, and the theme was very abstract, such as ``Create a comfortable space.''
There are various points of focus: ``What is a comfortable state?'' ``What kind of sounds, what scents, what kind of terrain?'' creates comfort.No matter how hard I try, I receive sharp criticism every time I make a presentation.I believe that my communication skills have been strengthened through the experience of responding, explaining, and persuading others.
Most of all, I am glad that I was able to meet friends with the same aspirations and grow together through this "design and drafting" project.My friends and I got together outside of class and often had discussions.Everyone pretends to be a teacher and says harsh things to each other on purpose.During that time, what I wanted to express began to take shape.

What is the meaning of my four years?Shock felt during job hunting
When I went to a job seminar for the first time, I learned that there was a company whose slogan was, ``You can design without specializing in architecture!''It seems that anyone can do it as long as it is unitized and has a design that emphasizes speed and handling volume.I also heard that large general contractors can only be involved in part of the construction.At that time, I wondered, ``What is design?'' and was deeply shocked by what I had been doing up until now. In that case, I thought, ``I want to become a designer with a strong will.''
Therefore, I decided to change my perspective and take on the challenge of ``urban planning,'' which includes urban development, so I entered graduate school at Chiba University.While studying in graduate school, I realized that it is easy to say things like ``rich greenery'' and ``southern sunlight,'' but it is difficult to realize them.So, I wanted to be a designer who could make that a reality.

Discover various perspectives and “think things through”
After completing graduate school, I started working at the current JR East Architectural Design Office.My workplace is a company that focuses on development around stations.I've been working in a department called the Commercial Design Department, creating station buildings and offices. In addition to considering things like ``easy to use'' and ``is the space comfortable?'' and satisfying the law, we also consider things like ``width of aisles that make it easy for customers to shop'' and ``store layout from an operational standpoint.'' Masu.
There are many big projects that take 10 years to complete, but I also value work that is large enough that I can pay close attention to it.The commercial facility called ``Nonowa Musashi-Koganei Musako Garden'', which was built under an elevated railway near Musashi-Koganei Station, was one such project.
"nonowa Musashi-Koganei Musako Garden"
There are many big projects that take 10 years to complete, but I also value work that is large enough that I can pay close attention to it.The commercial facility called ``Nonowa Musashi-Koganei Musako Garden'', which was built under an elevated railway near Musashi-Koganei Station, was one such project.




We were planning to build a small park within the facility, and during construction, children from a nearby kindergarten said, ``I want to play in that park as soon as possible!''On the opening day, I was overwhelmed with emotion when I saw children running out to the store as if they had been waiting for it.It was tough at times, but I'm glad I did my best.
Important things I learned at Showa Women's University
At Showa Women's University, I developed the ability to "think things through."The same goes for graduation planning, and the same goes for classes.We think things through, discuss them, receive points from different angles, and sometimes think again in the face of being denied.That's how you create your own core.I would like all my juniors to take advantage of their position as students and take on various challenges.There are many things you can do as a student.Before you get a job title or a company name, I think if you try something that interests you, not just architecture, you'll connect in a variety of situations.
