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Press Kit

Unique Properties

This project is a nine-story office building in Tokyo. We tried to create a new prototype for urban timber architecture in this project. Our proposal was a hybrid structure of a steel post-and-beam frame and timber seismic frames inserted into it. This timber frame, which we call a "seismic timber lattice shell," is not only a structural but also an interior element to realize new workspaces where people can work in a more relaxed mode, enjoying the spatial value of the timber construction.

Dimensions & Packaging

This project is a 9-story, 34.3m-high rental building with a total floor area of 564.7m2 and a footprint of 80.0m2. The ground and first floors are for restaurants or retail stores, and the third to ninth floors are for offices. It has an evacuation staircase and an evacuation balcony on each floor required by law, and an elevator. In addition, it is a fireproof building under the Building Standards Act.

Tags

Architecture, Timber, urban, Office, workspace

Production Technology

Urban timber architectures, which have recently been booming in Japan, are dominated by multi-story buildings with post-and-beam frames that have acquired special fire-resistance certification. However, these buildings simply replace RC or steel-frame construction with timber and do not possess the spatiality unique to timber construction. Our goal was to create a new typology of urban timber architectures that maximizes the spatial value of timber construction and allows end users to enjoy the value.

Design Challenge

As this was an unprecedented construction method, we put great effort into the detailed design of the steel and timber joints. During the construction phase, we formed a team with a contractor, a steel fabricator, and a timber fabricator, both with high technical capabilities, and worked out the details of the joints while sharing 3D data. In addition, there were differences in the production accuracy between the two fabricators, so we paid close attention to the accuracy management on site.

Research

Two primary motivations for promoting the construction of timber buildings in Japan today are, reducing CO2 emissions during construction and making use of the vast forest stock. Structural strength and fire resistance are the main issues when employing timber for urban buildings. We developed a method of using timber as a seismic element to brace steel frames, which can also work as an exposed interior element; structural members that only act against seismic force do not require fireproofing.

Inspiration

The design of this building was carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic. People stayed home; some even said office buildings were no longer necessary. In this project, we considered what kind of workspace would be worth visiting and working in even after online working technology was established. Our answer was architecture, which provides the comfort of a home and maximizes the value of working together.

Project Duration

This building's site is located in Ebisu, Shibuya-ward, Tokyo. We designed the building from June 2020 to June 2021, and construction work was carried out from June 2021 to January 2023. The building was put into use immediately after that, and all floors are currently rented out to tenants.

Operation Flow

In addition to creating an intimate workspace wrapped in timber on each floor, we created rich common spaces to facilitate workers' interaction. We designed a staircase not only as a simple evacuation route but also as a daily traffic route and arranged many common terraces along it. Taking a break outdoors or communicating with people from other companies will activate collaboration and creativity among workers.

Image Credits

Image #1：Photographer Makoto Yoshida, 2023
Image #2：Photographer Makoto Yoshida, 2023
Image #3：Photographer Makoto Yoshida, 2023
Image #3：Photographer Makoto Yoshida, 2023
Image #4：Photographer Makoto Yoshida, 2023