Series: What is Supervision? Part 3
Utilizing the accumulated know-how,
Towards a sustainable and highly skilled technology group
An Interview with Yukihiro Tokuda (Design Construction Administration Group, Construction Administration Department, Senior Director, Head of the Technical Supervision Office)
*Titles are as of the time of the interview.
*Titles are as of the time of the interview.
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As construction technology becomes increasingly sophisticated and complex, Nikken Sekkei has established a “Supervision Technology Office” within its Supervision Group, where staff work together to provide guidance on supervision techniques, advance digital transformation (DX), and foster talent development and training.
In the first half of this article, Senior Director(At the time of the interview)We would like to introduce the supervision tools independently developed by the Supervision Engineering Office, headed by [Name].
These tools systematize the supervision know-how that Nikken Sekkei has accumulated since its founding to facilitate information sharing with clients, contractors, and others, and to ensure efficient construction management.
They contribute to the creation of high-quality buildings that are more user-friendly and built to last.
In the second half, we will introduce our human resource development system, which shares this knowledge internally to enhance our technical capabilities.
"Comprehensive Diagram" That Reflects User Needs and Streamlines Construction
Nikken Sekkei’s construction supervision places a strong emphasis on creating “comprehensive drawings” that integrate design documents with various construction drawings. The comprehensive drawing originated in the 1980s, when drawings incorporating all architectural elements were created to ensure that increasingly sophisticated mechanical systems—such as HVAC, plumbing, and electrical work—could be installed in perfect alignment with the building construction.
These drawings contain detailed information such as door opening directions, the locations of electrical outlets and switches, and the specifications for ceiling lighting.
These drawings contain detailed information such as door opening directions, the locations of electrical outlets and switches, and the specifications for ceiling lighting.
The Role of “Comprehensive Drawings” in Linking Design Documents and Construction Drawings
By creating this from the early stages of construction and “visualizing” it as drawings, stakeholders—including clients, designers, supervisors, and contractors—can grasp the full scope of the project. This ensures that construction drawings are prepared accurately, prevents rework, and leads to greater efficiency on-site.
Furthermore, during the process of creating the master plan, we conduct detailed consultations with the client to understand how they intend to use the building. This offers a significant benefit to the client as well, as it deepens their understanding of their own building, resulting in a finished product that is more user-friendly and built with their full consent.
Furthermore, during the process of creating the master plan, we conduct detailed consultations with the client to understand how they intend to use the building. This offers a significant benefit to the client as well, as it deepens their understanding of their own building, resulting in a finished product that is more user-friendly and built with their full consent.
Layout of equipment switches around door and window openings, from the "General Drawing Guide" published online
2017年、日建設計は社内で蓄積された知見が詰まった総合図作成のための「総合図の手引」を公開しました。こうしたノウハウが自社だけではなく建設業界に浸透することで、効率的に品質のよい建築がつくられ、社会にとってより豊かな価値を提供することを日建設計は推進しているからです。今後も、品質管理のための資料を続々と公開していく予定です。
With an eye toward the era of stock utilization,
“NS-CAST” Also Supports Maintenance
The Supervision Engineering Office has developed “NS-CAST,” a new supervision tool designed to promote digital transformation (DX) throughout the building lifecycle.
A key role of supervision is to verify that quality standards align with the designer’s intent and to maintain a record of that evidence. This involves tasks such as sharing various drawings and specifications that arise during construction with relevant parties, as well as storing reports and notification documents—all of which require the proper handling of complex and voluminous information.NS-CAST centrally stores and manages this information in the cloud. Full-scale operations began in 2020, and as of November 2022, the system is currently in use across approximately 178 projects and has been well-received at many construction sites.
A key role of supervision is to verify that quality standards align with the designer’s intent and to maintain a record of that evidence. This involves tasks such as sharing various drawings and specifications that arise during construction with relevant parties, as well as storing reports and notification documents—all of which require the proper handling of complex and voluminous information.NS-CAST centrally stores and manages this information in the cloud. Full-scale operations began in 2020, and as of November 2022, the system is currently in use across approximately 178 projects and has been well-received at many construction sites.
Conceptual Diagram of NS-CAST
There are three main benefits to using NS-CAST.
First, it allows you to share and manage information in the same format simultaneously with clients and contractors. Since you enter the required details using templates, this helps prevent omissions in information. Additionally, electronic signatures for various reports can be applied via the cloud, which helps save time during approval processes.
Second, preserving detailed building information aids in future maintenance and management. For example, since you can search for detailed information—such as specifications for equipment and fixtures, as well as details on specialized contractors—maintenance tasks, such as replacing parts when problems arise, become easier. This data also serves as valuable information for renovation projects and contributes to extending the building’s lifespan.
Third, while still in the data accumulation phase, we are building a “building big data” repository. We aim for the data stored in NS-CAST—such as the distribution of manufacturers’ adoption records and common issues identified during inspections—to become part of our company’s core database as building big data. We also believe this data will serve as training data for AI-powered construction supervision support in the future.
First, it allows you to share and manage information in the same format simultaneously with clients and contractors. Since you enter the required details using templates, this helps prevent omissions in information. Additionally, electronic signatures for various reports can be applied via the cloud, which helps save time during approval processes.
Second, preserving detailed building information aids in future maintenance and management. For example, since you can search for detailed information—such as specifications for equipment and fixtures, as well as details on specialized contractors—maintenance tasks, such as replacing parts when problems arise, become easier. This data also serves as valuable information for renovation projects and contributes to extending the building’s lifespan.
Third, while still in the data accumulation phase, we are building a “building big data” repository. We aim for the data stored in NS-CAST—such as the distribution of manufacturers’ adoption records and common issues identified during inspections—to become part of our company’s core database as building big data. We also believe this data will serve as training data for AI-powered construction supervision support in the future.
While promoting supervision services through digital transformation, Senior Tokuda Director(At the time of the interview)...also places great importance on supervision tasks that only humans can perform. “AI cannot anticipate problems based on past experience and prepare for them,” he says. He also emphasizes that a wide range of expertise is necessary for supervision work, noting, “Only an experienced supervisor can provide appropriate on-site advice regarding the color scheme of a space and its subtle proportions.”
Delivering High-Level Project Management with a Diverse Workforce
In 2014, the Supervision Engineering Office launched a full-scale in-house classroom training program designed to maintain high technical standards. There are two types of programs tailored to the following target audiences, with lectures delivered online by in-house experts.
The first program is designed for employees who have been transferred to the Supervision Group as part of a job rotation to gain experience in departments with different areas of expertise. It consists of three types of courses: Basic, Technical, and Management. The second program is primarily aimed at junior staff in the Supervision Group and offers lectures to enhance technical skills in specific fields, including architecture, building systems, and a combined architecture and building systems track.
The online curriculum also includes courses open to any employee, not just those in the target groups. This has fostered a broader understanding of supervision operations within the company, and employees who have completed the training are gaining new perspectives.
The first program is designed for employees who have been transferred to the Supervision Group as part of a job rotation to gain experience in departments with different areas of expertise. It consists of three types of courses: Basic, Technical, and Management. The second program is primarily aimed at junior staff in the Supervision Group and offers lectures to enhance technical skills in specific fields, including architecture, building systems, and a combined architecture and building systems track.
The online curriculum also includes courses open to any employee, not just those in the target groups. This has fostered a broader understanding of supervision operations within the company, and employees who have completed the training are gaining new perspectives.
Scenes from an Online Training Session
Ryota Suenokuni, who has moved from structural design to on-site supervision through a job rotation program, explains the benefits of this experience: “Learning about supervision has deepened my understanding of quality control and helped me strengthen my expertise in my own specialized field.”“I can learn well-organized concepts through classroom instruction, broaden my perspective, and then apply that knowledge in practice,” he says, clearly recognizing the synergistic benefits of the training.
Yohei Kodotsuka, who specializes in electrical systems within the Supervision Group, reflects, “The training was a great opportunity to learn from senior colleagues about actual problems that have occurred.”Furthermore, speaking from his own perspective as someone recruited mid-career from the construction field, he says, “Nikken Sekkei’s supervision team includes many specialists in mechanical, electrical, and other building systems. We oversee each construction site from multiple angles,” and appears to be inspired by the organization’s diverse talent and passionate approach.
As of September 2022, the Supervision Group comprises a total of 249 members. The group is composed of 149 architecture specialists, 44 electrical specialists, and 56 mechanical specialists, reflecting a strong presence of facilities experts and a diverse workforce that includes mid-career hires from construction companies.While it is common for designers to also serve as construction supervisors, Nikken Sekkei separates design and supervision, demonstrating its commitment to providing supervision for clients from a neutral standpoint. It is also a group of engineers capable of supporting highly complex projects.
Nikken Sekkei views both its supervision tools and personnel as essential to forming a sustainable team of engineers prepared for the increasingly sophisticated architectural technologies of the future, thereby contributing to the architecture of tomorrow.
In the next installment, we will introduce our approach to “third-party supervision and technical consulting services”—operations conducted during the construction phase of buildings designed by other firms—as part of our role as a design firm providing supervision.
Yohei Kodotsuka, who specializes in electrical systems within the Supervision Group, reflects, “The training was a great opportunity to learn from senior colleagues about actual problems that have occurred.”Furthermore, speaking from his own perspective as someone recruited mid-career from the construction field, he says, “Nikken Sekkei’s supervision team includes many specialists in mechanical, electrical, and other building systems. We oversee each construction site from multiple angles,” and appears to be inspired by the organization’s diverse talent and passionate approach.
As of September 2022, the Supervision Group comprises a total of 249 members. The group is composed of 149 architecture specialists, 44 electrical specialists, and 56 mechanical specialists, reflecting a strong presence of facilities experts and a diverse workforce that includes mid-career hires from construction companies.While it is common for designers to also serve as construction supervisors, Nikken Sekkei separates design and supervision, demonstrating its commitment to providing supervision for clients from a neutral standpoint. It is also a group of engineers capable of supporting highly complex projects.
Nikken Sekkei views both its supervision tools and personnel as essential to forming a sustainable team of engineers prepared for the increasingly sophisticated architectural technologies of the future, thereby contributing to the architecture of tomorrow.
In the next installment, we will introduce our approach to “third-party supervision and technical consulting services”—operations conducted during the construction phase of buildings designed by other firms—as part of our role as a design firm providing supervision.
