“TSUNAGI”: The More You Make, the More Eco-Friendly It Becomes
~Protecting Forests with Ever-changing Wood Units~
Scroll Down
The “TSUNAGI (Community Created by Wood)” project that has appeared in all corners of urban parks and campsites set deep in the mountains creates spaces and things and connects people. This project aims to help promote the use of wood, circulate forest resources and protect the land by expanding the use of units built with small-diameter wood that can be easily found at home centers and simply assembled, dismantled and relocated.
Encourage lifestyle changes to promote the circulation of forest resources
A forest powerhouse with forests covering over two-thirds of its land area, and the time has come for Japan to use of artificial forests planted after WWII. However, the demand for wood has declined as a result of falling timber prices, causing the degradation of multifaceted functions and conservation of forests to become a social issue. The Public Buildings Wood Use Promotion Act was enacted as a policy to utilize wood, and large-scale wooden buildings have entered an era alive with the profusion of buildings of every kind. Nikken Sekkei is working on new architectural designs using wood, such as the Ariake Gymnastics Centre
The “TSUNAGI” project is the start of not only the construction of large-scale wooden buildings; it is also the beginning of the importance of promoting the use of wood to increase users.
The “TSUNAGI” project is the start of not only the construction of large-scale wooden buildings; it is also the beginning of the importance of promoting the use of wood to increase users.
It is a very simple system. The materials include solid wood of 90mm x 105mm in size that can be commonly found, joint materials called clamps, and wheels to move the structure. Since the wood is light, it can be lifted by anyone without much difficulty. With two adults, a basic unit can be assembled in about 30 minutes. By adding cover materials to match the season, the units can be used in both hot and cold weather. In the summer, favorite designs can be used, such as fabrics with good ventilation in the summer, and bubble wrapping material for packaging in the winter that has good insulation performance.
The methods of use are ever-changing, including as benches, planters, cafes and shops, and even as offices sometimes. One major feature is that the same components can be switched for use in different functions, as necessary. As the wood deteriorates over time, it can be recycled as energy, such as biomass fuel. The major attraction of “TSUNAGI” is that these units can be used both indoors and outdoors, and that ideas are up to the imagination of the users. It encourages the use of wood, in close relation to people’s lifestyles.
The methods of use are ever-changing, including as benches, planters, cafes and shops, and even as offices sometimes. One major feature is that the same components can be switched for use in different functions, as necessary. As the wood deteriorates over time, it can be recycled as energy, such as biomass fuel. The major attraction of “TSUNAGI” is that these units can be used both indoors and outdoors, and that ideas are up to the imagination of the users. It encourages the use of wood, in close relation to people’s lifestyles.
Achieved through social demonstrations and R&D using the organizational power of Nikken Sekkei
A “TSUNAGI” was selected in the 2018 company-wide “Discover Peaks Competition” as a new business pilot project for Nikken Sekkei. The proponents of the proposal formed a voluntary organization called “Nikken Wood Lab”, which is currently researching and developing components for practical use.
The OUT DOOR LOUNGE event, which uses actual urban space, was also organized in the fall of 2019. This was a social demonstration project utilizing open space in front of the company’s building in cooperation with the Public Asset Lab, which handles the design and operation of public spaces in the urban division of the company. Shops in the surrounding areas opened up booths offering food and drink, creating a lively spot for the three weeks that the event was held.
The OUT DOOR LOUNGE event, which uses actual urban space, was also organized in the fall of 2019. This was a social demonstration project utilizing open space in front of the company’s building in cooperation with the Public Asset Lab, which handles the design and operation of public spaces in the urban division of the company. Shops in the surrounding areas opened up booths offering food and drink, creating a lively spot for the three weeks that the event was held.
A major feature of “TSUNAGI” is that they are easy to set up and dismantle, and it is compatible with short-term events. Through these events, it is possible to understand the needs of society and explore business potential.
In addition, research and development to enhance functionality is currently ongoing utilizing the organizational strength of Nikken Sekkei. The immediate objective is to develop more wood-like joints. The clamps that are currently being used are originally made from steel and weigh about 2kg, which is heavy, and the dimensions do not conform to the standards of wood that is commonly available, so the project is considering the use of 3D-printed resin. Wood Lab is working with the diverse expertise of organizational design firms, including 3D modeling and sophisticated structural calculations.
Wood Lab representative Takuya Oba (Associate, Design Department) talked about his origins as a designer, “Since I was a student, I have aimed at the idea of the more that is created, the better architecture is for life”. In practice, the project is committed to building “spaces” that will create unprecedented “services” using small-diameter wood starting from Wood Lab, while also continuing to be responsible for large-scale wooden structures. The members of the project hope that the “communities created by wood”, a concept that started with thoughts of individual buildings, will be carefully nurtured within the organization, implemented in society and will soon be seen in familiar places.
In addition, research and development to enhance functionality is currently ongoing utilizing the organizational strength of Nikken Sekkei. The immediate objective is to develop more wood-like joints. The clamps that are currently being used are originally made from steel and weigh about 2kg, which is heavy, and the dimensions do not conform to the standards of wood that is commonly available, so the project is considering the use of 3D-printed resin. Wood Lab is working with the diverse expertise of organizational design firms, including 3D modeling and sophisticated structural calculations.
Wood Lab representative Takuya Oba (Associate, Design Department) talked about his origins as a designer, “Since I was a student, I have aimed at the idea of the more that is created, the better architecture is for life”. In practice, the project is committed to building “spaces” that will create unprecedented “services” using small-diameter wood starting from Wood Lab, while also continuing to be responsible for large-scale wooden structures. The members of the project hope that the “communities created by wood”, a concept that started with thoughts of individual buildings, will be carefully nurtured within the organization, implemented in society and will soon be seen in familiar places.
