sun mercury venus
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Moon
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saturn uranus neptune pluto
TOHOKU SPaCEPORT
Boyce postma Professor Hajo NeisRegenerative Design //  designing in response to catastrophic disaster
regenerative Space //  A design for the future
entrance
ticketing
baggage
claim
bag inspection
security
food
news
restrooms
restrooms
restrooms
arrivalsdepartures
spaceside
landside
gates
space
administration
immigration
car rental
public lockers
restrooms
The economy of Japan and specifically Ishinomaki 
was in decline before the tsunami of 2011. The 
cities economy was largely based on fishing 
and small agricultural lots. Similar to the rest of 
Japan, the economy was based at least 60% on 
the internal sales of goods services. When the 
tsunami struck, those that lost everything could 
no longer contribute to this local economy, and 
the weakness spread. In order to jump start the 
economy, redevelop damaged land, and create 
an attraction to create density, a new economy 
must be introduced to the area.
The space industry has been dominated by 
governments since the first V-2 rocket was 
developed by Werner Van Braune in the 1940’s 
for the Nazi’s. Since then we have seen satellites, 
orbiting humans, men sent to the moon, 10 
space stations, and the development of private 
commercial space travel. It is this last development 
that will change space travel more than any other 
single evolution of our relationship to space. 
With dozens of companies now competing for 
grants, contest prizes, government dollars, and 
private investor’s dollars, the real space age is 
just beginning.
Ishinomaki will not only host one of the international 
spaceports, it will be home to a newly developed 
space industry capable of bringing density back 
to the city and creating a diverse exportable 
economy. Rocket, plane, habitat, and mission 
design and manufacturing will take place in and 
around Ishinomaki, providing jobs and a source 
of revenue for the city to rebuild and prepare for 
the next tsunami. 
The spaceport will be the primary architectural 
component to the new development. Other 
development will include rocket launching areas 
to the west near Mt Otakamori and research 
and offices to the east near Watanoha. There 
will be redevelopment of residential, commercial 
and retail spaces as well. Currently the biggest 
players in the booming private space industry are 
scattered across the world – with manufacturing 
plants located great distances from launching 
areas. I propose consolidating many of these 
programs and industries into one place with R&D, 
development, manufacturing and launching all 
within the city.
Schools will develop in the area to support 
the technical nature of the industry; however it 
should not be assumed that even the majority 
of the citizens will be directly employed by the 
industry. It seems reasonable to assume that the 
scale of the space economy will support the city 
at levels up to 500,000 and beyond. The city is 
currently at a density lower than Portland, and 
could benefit from growing up onto higher land, 
above known tsunami paths.
Programmatically much is borrowed from 
contemporary airport design, as this facility will 
serve as many air flights as spaceflights. Tohoku 
Spaceport services mostly smaller jets and a 
variety of horizontal launch space planes. It is a 
relatively small to medium air/spaceport, similar 
in size to an American regional airport, with 10 
gates`. Ticketing and baggage will be managed 
by spaceport staff, relieving the clutter of travel 
company branding and allowing customer 
service to be standard regardless of company or 
ticket class. The baggage and ticketing system 
is designed as the most automated in the world, 
allowing for the fastest de/boarding times and 
ease of travel. Air and space travelers will be 
mixed as much as possible to allow air travelers 
access to the thrill of space travel.
There is a heavy architectural influence from the 
culture of the locale. The Japanese have a unique 
way of creating spaces and understanding a 
person’s relationship to solids, voids, walls, courts 
and the ground plane. The design is internationally 
accessible, but inspired by traditional and 
contemporary Japanese design. This Japanese 
influence will likely be more obvious in the urban 
redevelopment plan than the architecture, as 
contemporary Japanese architecture has more 
roots in European modernism than traditional 
Japanese systems.
The final human catastrophic disaster is the failure of earth’s ability to support life. Due 
to ill-conceived human industry, natural planetary processes, or some extra-planetary 
intervention, this planet will not last forever. However, for the first time in the known history 
of this solar system, this predictable end does not necessarily mean the conclusion of 
human life. Facilities for such an evacuation have been proposed as early as the late 
years of the 19th century by thinkers such as Jules Verne and Konstantin Tsiolkowsky. I 
propose no less than ten locations in the world dedicated to the evacuation of humans 
and other life to extra-earth colonies within the next fifty years. This is the dissection of an 
architectural design process for a contemporary spaceport and the implications of such a 
typology on both local and global catastrophic disaster.
6 miles
TOTAL 
CASUALTIES
MISSING
HOMELESS
JAPANESE 
CONTRIBUTION 
TO GLOBAL GDP
ESTIMATED 
COST OF 
DAMAGE
LOCAL 
CASUALTIES
DISTANCE WATER 
TRAVEL INLAND
12,500
15,000
30,000
$250,000,000,000
8.7%
6,000
space industry DEvelopment
Local Disaster
evacuation spaceports Programming
The travelers design concepts
land and space
06 07 09 10 11 12
In March of 2014, comet 2013 A1, currently 
projected to be 1.5 miles in diameter will slam 
into the planet Mars at 120,000 mph. Debris 
will cloud out solar radiation from reaching 
equipment on the surface, causing total radio 
silence from all but the nuclear powered 
Curiosity Explorer. Ejecta from the impact will 
create a field of debris dense enough to destroy 
all orbiting equipment within 2 years. 
This event causes great trepidation on earth as 
we suddenly awaken to the extreme fragility of 
our planet. Disease, climate change and major 
volcanic activity are also cited as causes for 
increased market turmoil, and hostility between 
nations, finally prompting a resolution by the UN 
for an escape plan in the event of the need to 
leave our home, the planet earth.
The International Earth Evacuation Program is 
initiated with 10 new and existing spaceports 
designed to evacuate 200-500 people each. The 
International Space Station is pushed passed 
the moon into a Lagrange point for increased 
study of the effects of deep space radiation, and 
a new larger space station is begun in low earth 
orbit, planned to take 50 years to complete. 
Goals for colonization on the newly reformed 
mars are expected to begin within 5 years, with 
habitation expected by 2030.
The Tohoku Spaceport is a response to both 
the aforementioned potential world disaster and 
a local disaster. The global disaster is of course 
the assured destruction of the planet earth. The 
local disaster occurred on March 3rd, 2011. 
On that day, a 9.0 earthquake struck 40 miles 
off the coast of NE Japan, causing a tsunami 
reaching an elevation of 130 feet and 6 miles 
inland in some places. Many of the coastline 
cities were ravaged. To this day, there is no 
clear solution to the nuclear radiation leak at the 
Fukushima reactor, just south of the proposed 
Tohoku Spaceport.
Not only were the land, people and property 
of Japan destroyed – the economy was badly 
effected by the tsunami. The Tohoku Spaceport 
will not only serve the human race in an end of 
the world scenario, but also act as a the catalyst 
to an entire space industry in the region.
When it is not being used for this final purpose, 
the transportation hub must accommodate the 
everyday traveler and excited tourist, living a 
childhood dream, while simultaneously acting 
as a constant reminder of the fragility of life. 
Conceptually the spaceport is designed to affect 
peoples relationship to thresholds, the unique 
nature of sunlight on earth, and duality. 
runway
Runway alignment largely 
determines the site constraints. The 
runway must generally direct traffic 
south and east to take advantage of 
the rotation of earth on take-off
It used to be that airports were visited 
as often by onlookers as travelers, for 
lunch and to take in the view. There 
was an excitement to the new era of 
travel that a spaceport can revive. 
A large portion of the landside hall 
is dedicated to these visitors and the 
staff.
As the last refuge of humans in the 
event of global destruction, the 
space must have an integrated 
connection to the natural world. A 
time and space to have one last 
moment with the unique species of 
this planet.
The spaceport is read from a 
distance as a visual icon. It must 
have a sense of a beacon. A place 
seen from far away as shelter.
The form of the building must act as 
a boat does in water. The shape 
must push any oncoming water from 
future tsunami’s around it.
The light of our sun shines through 
our atmosphere in an entirely 
unique way. This experience of 
light is captured in a variety of 
ceiling and roof punctures that 
direct light in ways that create 
rooms within rooms and veils of 
light.
The landside of the spaceport should 
feel connected, embedded in the 
ground. The Spaceside should be 
lofted and feel like.
Wave heights ranged from just a bit 
higher than usual to well over one 
hundred feet. An general inverse 
relationship exists between the 
height of the wave and the depth 
with which it penetrates the land. 
Generally speaking, the lower the 
wave, the further it would penetrate 
into the landscape. The conditions 
of the coast vary wildly depending 
on the specific geometry.
The intensity of the red directly relates 
to the size of the wave. The brighter 
the red, the higher the wave record.
Pacific PlateEurasian Plate North American Plate
Philippine Plate
Most of the traffic moving through the 
spaceport will be air traffic bringing 
people from Tokyo for business or 
pleasure space transportation. This 
airport can expect to see increased 
usage as other industries spring up 
in the city.
When the spaceport is not in end 
of the world mode, it will be used 
primarily for the purpose of space 
tourism for the initial start-up period. 
Initial flights using horizontal launch 
patterns, will reach low earth orbit 
before descending. Later variants 
of this technology will bring people 
into high earth orbit and beyond.
As space business increases, tourism 
will be matched by business travelers, 
heading to the newly developed 
space stations and martian colony.
The end of the world traveler would 
arrive by train from the colony in 
Tokyo. From here, changing and 
any last personal moments on earth 
can take place. Then they depart.
launch direction
Rockets are more effective near 
the equator because they can take 
advantage of the higher velocity of 
the surface of the earth. Launches 
from the Tohoku Spaceport will aim 
south and east to take advantage of 
this velocity.
Landside hall
The main building travelers arrive 
at. The bar elevates all passengers 
thirty feet to keep passengers safe 
from tsunamis, while simultaneously 
embedding them in the earth for the 
last time.
350
slower near pole
faster near equator
Tohoku launch location
Canal
The spaceport is located over the 
existing irrigation canal primarily 
for security reasons. There is also a 
historical nod to the importance of 
rivers in early Japanese settlements 
as a hub of commerce.
Departure
Departure
The spaceplane is a duel-fuselage 
aircraft that holds the rocket under 
the spanning wings. On take-off the 
rocket is suspended from the wings, 
with all thrust coming from the four 
engines on the carrier.
Landside Hall Entrance and Terminal
Meditative Space
Terminal
Entrance
Before departing for space, travelers 
will pass through the landside hall, 
which features customer service, a 
restaurant, offices, and restrooms.
The arrival ramp can be seen in 
the background, as well as the 
spectating space. The landside hall 
runs the length, and terminates at the 
security checkpoint. Once through 
security, one crosses the threshold of 
the river to reach the terminal space.
It is common in Japan to have a 
meditative space within larger public 
spaces. This space is designed for 
the end of the world traveler, but 
will be most commonly used by 
everyday visitors.
The terminal is split between air and 
land sides by an elevation change. 
The views are directed specifically 
towards the city for the air, and 
towards the ocean for the space.
Looking down the ramp, one can 
see the arrival point, lit by the light 
garden. This entrance serves as the 
primary spectating space for visitors.
At 40,000 feet, the rocket is 
released from the spaceplane, which 
immediately ignites its thrusters.
Ascension
The burn time will vary, but generally 
all available fuel is used to get the 
rocket up to the edge of low earth 
orbit.
Orbit
At this point, the rocket has reached 
the edge of space at 100km. From 
here, occupants are weightless for a 
limited duration before descending. 
Other rockets like the SNS Dream 
Chaser and the EU Skylon will also 
reach this altitude and beyond. The 
Dream Chaser required a vertical 
launch system, but the Skylon could 
potentially launch from a horizontal 
launch pattern.
Descend
After some minutes of weightlessness, 
the rocket will descend. With this 
design, the wings tilt to accommodate 
a slow spiral descent. 
threshold
The connecting point between 
the land and space sides of the 
spaceport crosses at the canal, 
which also acts as a physical barrier. 
This security area has restricted one 
way access.
Spaceside Terminal
Tokyo
Ishinomaki
epicenter
The terminal bar is located across 
the canal and connects directly 
with the tarmac, spaceplanes and 
airplanes. 
circulation Structural
30’ Elevation
Vertical shortcut
For the everyday traveler, a series of 
elevators takes passengers right to 
security, avoiding the processional 
circulation and check-in desk.
Viewpoint
Like early airports, the Tohoku 
spaceport is as much about the 
visiting spectator as the traveler. This 
vantage point offers visitors views 
of the spaceplane taking off and 
landing in the non-secured landside 
of the building.
Security Threshold
Quick walk-through biometric 
screening devices and the threshold 
between land and space.
Entrance
The entrance for vehicular and 
cycling traffic. The ramp begins after 
crossing under the first threshold. 
departure & arrival
All waiting areas are on the top 
levels. Departure and arrival 
levels are below, leading out onto 
skybridges or the tarmac directly.
Final view to earth
A series of ramps lead to a small 
sanctuary space on the roof of the 
spaceport, entrance. This is the last 
place to view the city of Ishinomaki.
visitors
INtegrated Natural spaces Distant Icon Tsunami Mitigation Light Thresholds Land and Space
Wave height map
Air arrivals and Departures
Space Tourist
Space Business Traveler
End of the world traveler
The air departures waiting area looks 
back toward the city of Ishinomaki.
AIR Arrive & Depart
Air arrivals and departures are 
arrived at by moving down the 
check-in escalators, gaining a last 
view of the space departures tarmac, 
turning around and boarding.
AirSPACE
The space departures waiting area is 
at the top most level of the spaceport 
for the best view. The view is entirely 
directed away from the city and the 
earth. 
circulation core
All circulation is directed towards 
the center of the terminal, freeing the 
sides for viewing. 
SPACE ARRIVe & DEPART
Elevators serve as gates, leading 
down to the tarmac. Due to low 
elevation of spaceplane doors, then 
are boarded from the ground.
structural enclosure
Terminal End Garden
Air PAssenger Waiting
Arrivals Circulation
Vertical Circulation
Cleansing
Security Office
Terrace
Security
Light Garden
Parking Pull up
Runway and tarmac
Access
Water
Buildings
Stairs to Shinkansen
Retail
Second floor offices
Restaurant
Restrooms
Check in
Check in Offices
Entrance
Ramp to Meditation Space
Gate Gardens
Space Elevators
naturally lit
Structural morph
Concrete Pillars
All steel structures are covered in a 
dark opaque glazing. This allows 
light in through the structure where 
the roof pieces tie in.
The last section of the terminal is 
given to a ground level garden, 
visible as a canopy from the upper 
floors.
This floor is for waiting air departure 
passengers. Ticketing may occur 
at the escalators that feed into the 
gates below.
All arrivals move through this long 
hallway, which faces the city of 
Ishinomaki. Full views of the earth 
awaiting returning passengers.
Primary level changes occur here, 
where arrivals, departures, space 
and air travelers converge.
A small cleansing pool is located here 
to allow passengers to ritualistically 
remove the earth from their bodies,.
The security office runs on top of 
the biometric scanners as well as in 
a small tower off to the side. The 
small tower connects security to the 
baggage scanning room.
The terrace runs the length of the 
landside hall, offering a blend of 
indoor and outdoor space in a 
traditionally interior program.
Passengers move through security 
lines based on their clearance level. 
Most move quickly through biometric 
scanners.
Moving through the entrance, light 
shafts representing the local star 
cluster surround you.
Traffic moves in a circle right around 
the entrance. Short term parking 
is located on the other side of this 
loop, and long term just down the 
road.
The runways flow in a south east 
direction to take advantage of the 
rotation of the earth. The tarmac and 
taxi area connect to both runways, 
allowing use during adverse wind 
conditions. The runway reaches into 
the ocean nearly 3/4 of a mile for 
a total of 2 miles.
The site can be accessed by rail, 
car, bus, boat, or a pedestrian train 
along the water of the industrial 
district.
The runways run in a south east 
direction to take advantage of the 
rotation of the earth. The tarmac 
and taxi area connect to both 
runways, allowing use adverse wind 
conditions. The runway reaches into 
the ocean nearly 3/4 of a mile for 
a total of 2 miles.
Buildings on the site beyond the 
spaceport include a fueling station, 
a repair shed, and storage for the 
20 emergency evacuation space 
planes.
The shinkansen as well as some 
local trains run under the spaceport. 
Three small retail stalls are available 
for rent. These will likely be occupied 
by services and small food vendors.
Above the retail and restaurant 
spaces, office space is available for 
carriers and space administration.
A Japanese restaurant sits across 
from the elevated terrace. All dining 
areas as in the standard Japanese 
sitting configuration.
Landside restrooms for all visitors 
and travelers.
Though most check-ins will soon 
occur on mobile devices, customer 
service will always be required. This 
spaceport does away with the wall 
of individual brands in favor of a 
central check-in desk. 
Check-In specific spaces for storage 
and administration.
The entrance is split, half inside and 
half outside, creating an ambiguity 
between the two.
This ramp bridges up to the roof 
where a small meditation space 
received full southern light.
On final departure, each gate has 
a small planted area, with trees and 
wetland grasses. For some it might 
be the last contact with the nature of 
earth.
Elevators take all space travelers 
from the top waiting floor down to 
the departure/arrival floor. 
Sunlight filters through the ceiling 
at the structural points, calling 
attention to them as well as creating 
a cadence of light when passing 
through the space.
The structural elements shrink as 
they reach further south. This creates 
increased views the closer one is to 
the end of the terminal and restricts 
the view at first. The field of view is 
also proportional to ones proximity 
to the ground. They act as evolving 
sunshades.
The three structural pieces are held 
by two concrete pillars.
view platform
Check in & Baggage
Meditative Space lift
second floor offices
Meditative Space Ramp
Drive Up
Arrival Passage
Space & Air
Security
Ritual Cleansing
The spectating space crosses the 
threshold between inside and 
outside. 
Most check-ins will occur via 
mobile phone applications, 
however customer service is always 
necessary.
The meditative space can be 
reached by ramps or this lift.
Offices are located above the 
restaurant and retail spaces. These 
serve the spaceport administration.
Primary access to the meditative 
space is through these ramps that 
climb the thirty feet to the roof.
A car circle allows for passengers to 
arrive and depart by car and bus.
A long hallway with only a view 
back to the city greets arrivals. 
This is the dividing point between 
space and air travelers, though 
they can mingle in the waiting area 
above. Air travelers take escalators 
down to the departure deck, while 
space travelers take elevators. 
Security is handled through four 
types of passengers. Depending 
on pre-determined risk, travelers 
are ushered through appropriate v 
screening machines.
A small cleaning space is located 
on the way into up the path to the 
viewpoint. At this point one can 
cleanse themselves of the earth 
before moving on to the heavens.
SkybridgeSpaceplane BoardingBaggage ConveyersLight gardenRamps to Meditative Space Section Section Sectionelevators to SecurityBaggage ScreeningSecurityBaggage Sorting RoomBaggage pickUpSpace Traveler ElevatorsAir Traveler Escalators
japan gdp Tsunami
Terminal Cafe
SAtelites Lunar colonySpace Tourism
martian colony asteroid mine New moon
Level Split Shinkansen Meditative Space
circulation core
Boarding and deboarding for all air 
travelers.
All space arrivals and departures are 
on the tarmac directly.
Baggage is moved from the land side 
to the spaceside under the passenger 
circulation.
Upon approach, visitors move through 
the light garden, a representation of 
the local star cluster.
In order to accommodate for the 
physically handicapped, ramps 
ascend the 30’ to the roof.
1’ 0” = 1/16” 1’ 0” = 1/16” 1’ 0” = 1/16”It is possible to skip the curated path 
and move straight to the terminal 
through the elevators to the right.
All baggage from check-in is screened 
in this room before moving across the 
canal to the sorting room.
Security screening machines are 
located above the baggage 
screening  for personnel circulation.
All baggage is sorted here before 
being carted to the planes and 
rockets. 
A single large carousal services all 
eight gates. All bags are color tagged 
based on flight for recognition.
Elevators take all space travelers from 
the top waiting floor down to the 
departure and arrival floor. 
All air travelers take escalators from 
the waiting level down to the arrivals 
and departures level.
Over the course of the last 10 years, 
the Japanese economy has shrunk 
slightly. This only adds to the difficulty 
of the massive debts caused by the 
tsunami 
Tsunami causes economic hardship 
after many thousands are killed and 
injured, and some of the largest 
manufacturers are forced to shut 
down plants.
At the very end of the terminal is a 
cafe overlooking a small natural area 
and the ocean.
An increase in digital network 
usage around the world has 
prompted many countries to 
increase their space program 
in order to launch their own 
machines. 
Development of products 
and training astronauts 
will becoming increasingly 
important as colonies open 
on places like the moon. 
Space tourism will be the 
first commercial industry to 
take solid footing. Many 
companies are currently 
selling tickets on some of the 
first low orbit flights. In 2003 
the first high orbit tourist 
stayed in the space station 
for 7 days. 
Mars could easily be our 
next home away from home. 
This is likely the first of many 
such colonies.
Asteroid mining could prove 
to be an industry that would 
eliminate difficulty in procuring 
some rare elements.
NASA is currently working on 
developing the hardware to 
capture a rogue asteroid and 
bringing into earths orbit.
Air passengers are moved slightly up 
and to the left, space passengers are 
moved up and to the right. 
The high speed rail line from Tokyo 
connects under the landside hall.
Above the spaceport, there is a 
meditative space for visitors and end 
of the world survivors
All circulation is pushed to the center, 
to allow sweeping views through the 
walls.
Queensland, Australia
AU space center
Australia space center queensland.........0000111010101000001011
Ishinomaki, Japan
Tohoku Spaceport
Tohoku Spaceport of AJAX Miyagi Prefecture.............0000111010101000101
Jiuquan, China
Sriharikota, India
Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
Coast of Kenya
Majorca Island, Spain
Kazakhstan
New Mexico, United States
Florida, United States
French Guinea
Maranhão, Brazil
Zhungguo Space Center
Satish Dhawan Center
UAE SPACE Center
Broglio Space
EU Spaceport
Baiknor Cosmodrome
Spaceport America
Cape kennedy
Guinea Space Center
Alcantara Launch Center
space.program.for.the.peoples.republic.of.china...00101011000001110101010000010111100101001010
indian.space.authority.ponducherry.provence.operaters......110110110000111010101000001
Australia space center queensland.........0000111010101000001011110
african.space.agency.of.exploration..0000111010101000001011
european.space.agency.project.ark...111011000011100
Russian.confederation.of.space.administration..........000011101010100000101111001010010
united.states.of.america.national.aeronautics.and.space.administration...10
united.states.of.america.national.aeronautics.and.space.admin..00
centre.spatial.guyanais..kourou. french ministry of technology.......0000111010100
agencia.espacial.brasileira...ministerio.da.ciencia.technologia.e.inovacao.............000011101010100