Haga Utsunomiya Light Rail Transit (LRT) (by Utsunomiya Light Rail Co., Ltd.) was the first case of a light rail transportation system that was newly constructed in Japan. In this LRT project, GK Sekkei was responsible for total design in collaboration with GK Industrial Design and GK Graphics, covering visual design (VI), train body, and stations. The line is considered the main axis to rebuild the area into a super smart city in the future to grow out of the motorized society with consideration of the environment and accessibility.
The design concept was “Thunder Capital to the Future.” We took part in the project from formulating the concept taking into consideration lightning and ears of rice contributing to the rich environment of the Haga Utsunomiya region and its nickname of Thunder Capital. GK expends energy to create people’s consciousness to think about the future of their local area through LRT. For this purpose, we proposed a people’s participation plan to help people recognize the presence of LRT and think proudly of it. In addition to visible designs, it will become increasingly important for a total design to develop local identity, forge local consciousness and pride among the people concerned.
　
→GK Industrial Design website
→GK Graphics website