Environmental pollution and the circular economy
Nikken Sekkei addresses the growing environmental challenges expected by its clients by proposing solutions for realizing a circular economy, conserving biodiversity, and managing waste.
We promote the use of recycled materials by adopting design methods that consider the reuse of construction materials and ease of demolition.
Furthermore, we promote environmental education and are actively working towards a paperless environment to improve resource efficiency.
We promote the use of recycled materials by adopting design methods that consider the reuse of construction materials and ease of demolition.
Furthermore, we promote environmental education and are actively working towards a paperless environment to improve resource efficiency.
Significantly promoting paperless operations through digital workplaces
The establishment of digital workplaces around 2020 accelerated efforts to go paperless and reduce waste. Since then, we have not seen a significant increase in waste, and we have confirmed that we have been able to maintain a low level of waste.
Specifically, the amount of copy paper used per employee (all locations) was reduced by 41% compared to 2015, and the amount of waste generated (Tokyo Building) was reduced by 44% compared to 2015.
Specifically, the amount of copy paper used per employee (all locations) was reduced by 41% compared to 2015, and the amount of waste generated (Tokyo Building) was reduced by 44% compared to 2015.
Construction sites are also becoming paperless through the use of digital tools.
Nikken Sekkei's NS-CAST (Complete Construction Document Storage System) enables the sharing, storage, and management of data information on books and documents among Nikken Sekkei, the client, and the contractor, thereby strengthening paperless practices at each construction site.
This system is expected to contribute to: ① risk management measures, ② reduction of administrative costs, ③ database construction, and ④ reliable execution of supervisory tasks.
Furthermore, we will utilize the accumulated data to assist in business development such as LCD (Lifecycle Design), thereby contributing to the expansion of customer services.
This system is expected to contribute to: ① risk management measures, ② reduction of administrative costs, ③ database construction, and ④ reliable execution of supervisory tasks.
Furthermore, we will utilize the accumulated data to assist in business development such as LCD (Lifecycle Design), thereby contributing to the expansion of customer services.
Promoting environmental protection activities through the introduction of "NIKKEN Eco Bags"
As part of our environmental protection efforts, we created the "NIKKEN Eco Bag" to reduce the number of paper bags used when delivering deliverables such as design drawings and reports, while also considering branding. We conducted a pilot trial in the Tokyo area from September to November 2020, and after incorporating requests for larger sizes, we began full-scale implementation in the summer of 2021.
"ZERO ENERGY RENOVATION" (Zenove) - Towards achieving "Net Zero" by 2050
Through energy-saving renovations such as "improving insulation performance" and "adopting high-efficiency air conditioning equipment and optimizing capacity," Nikken Building No. 1 has obtained ZEB-Ready certification.
The Development Bank of Japan and Nikken Sekkei aim to drive environmental renovations of existing buildings nationwide by demonstrating concrete success stories that balance economic and environmental value, such as this project.
Furthermore, we will encourage other building owners and developers to implement sustainable energy-saving renovations, contributing to the achievement of net-zero emissions by 2050.
The Development Bank of Japan and Nikken Sekkei aim to drive environmental renovations of existing buildings nationwide by demonstrating concrete success stories that balance economic and environmental value, such as this project.
Furthermore, we will encourage other building owners and developers to implement sustainable energy-saving renovations, contributing to the achievement of net-zero emissions by 2050.
An idea catalog summarizing insights into the circular economy in the construction industry.
We have launched the "Circular Design Collective," an initiative aimed at promoting the circular economy in the construction industry. As the first step in this initiative, we have begun developing a "Circular Idea Catalog," which will consolidate know-how such as ideas and design methods, with the aim of creating an environment where everyone involved in architecture and civil engineering can work towards realizing "circular architecture."
In the future, we envision open-sourcing this catalog and developing it as a standard tool that can be used throughout the industry.
In the future, we envision open-sourcing this catalog and developing it as a standard tool that can be used throughout the industry.
A "DESIGN BOOK" on "biophilic design," which incorporates nature into architecture and urban planning.
As part of our efforts to quantitatively visualize the benefits of incorporating “biophilic design”—which integrates nature into architecture and urban environments to have a positive impact on people—we have released “NIKKEN BIOPHILIC DESIGN BOOK Vol. 1: JR Kumamoto Station Building” to the public, which compiles the results of a survey conducted at JR Kumamoto Railway Station Building.
[NIKKEN GREEN INITIATIVE] serves as a guideline for landscapes in the environmental age.
In light of the increasing environmental challenges we face today, Nikken Sekkei has created a booklet consisting of the following three pillars to outline the future direction of our landscape initiatives.
① A vision for a city in harmony with nature
② Strategies for restoring greenery
③ Visualization of the environmental value of green spaces
In section ①, it is declared that the ideal form of a city is one in which "social, economic, cultural, and urban functions are preserved while green spaces are restored."
In section ②, we classify "how greenery has been restored" into four types and highlight representative projects. In section ③, we have independently organized a "measuring stick" that can quantitatively evaluate the multifaceted effects of greenery from five aspects of the environment, and we have visualized the results numerically in eight selected projects. In the future, Nikken Landscape plans to implement the above "measuring stick" and use it to propose evidence-based environmental value.
① A vision for a city in harmony with nature
② Strategies for restoring greenery
③ Visualization of the environmental value of green spaces
In section ①, it is declared that the ideal form of a city is one in which "social, economic, cultural, and urban functions are preserved while green spaces are restored."
In section ②, we classify "how greenery has been restored" into four types and highlight representative projects. In section ③, we have independently organized a "measuring stick" that can quantitatively evaluate the multifaceted effects of greenery from five aspects of the environment, and we have visualized the results numerically in eight selected projects. In the future, Nikken Landscape plans to implement the above "measuring stick" and use it to propose evidence-based environmental value.
