Nikken Sekkei's co-creation platform "PYNT" celebrates its 3rd anniversary! 26 social implementation projects embodying social and environmental design have been born.
Drawing on connections with over 26,000 people, we will evolve our "co-creation mechanism" towards 2030.
NEWS
2026.04.10
“PYNT,” a co-creation platform operated by Nikken Sekkei Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director President and CEO: Atsushi Omatsu), celebrated its third anniversary on April 10, 2026.We are pleased to announce that, in the three years since its launch, the platform has built trust and established a network with over 26,000 stakeholders, while also reaching 47 initiatives at the proof-of-concept (PoC) stage and 23 real-world demonstration projects.
About the co-creation platform "PYNT"
Given the increasing complexity of today’s social issues, it is extremely difficult for any single company to solve them on its own. Therefore, “co-creation”—in which diverse organizations and Private collaborate—is an effective approach.Consequently, on April 10, 2023, Nikken Sekkei opened “PYNT” (hereinafter “PYNT Tokyo”) at the Nikken Sekkei Tokyo Building (Iidabashi) as a platform where diverse people can meet and foster co-creation, and has been promoting activities aimed at solving social issues.
We will accelerate the process of solving social issues through co-creation and launch co-creation projects in collaboration not only with Nikken Sekkei Group employees but also with passionate individuals from outside the company, thereby contributing to society.
We will accelerate the process of solving social issues through co-creation and launch co-creation projects in collaboration not only with Nikken Sekkei Group employees but also with passionate individuals from outside the company, thereby contributing to society.
PYNT's performance over the past three years since its launch.
Under its Mid-Term Management Plan 2021–2025, “Evolution Toward a Social and Environmental Design Platform,” Nikken Sekkei established the Innovation Design Center in 2021—a department designed to open up to the outside world and bridge internal and external connections. Then, in 2023, the company launched PYNT as a co-creation platform to advance social and environmental design.
Throughout 2023, we cultivated the foundation for our community while expanding our network through the operation of PYNT.In 2024, we explored co-creation projects—centered on ideas generated internally—to collaboratively shape the vision for the kind of city we want to see. To foster long-term relationships and nurture these projects, we launched “FUTURE COLLECTIVES,” a community where both internal and external participants can engage.Then, in 2025, we launched “FUTURE LENS” as a program where Nikken Sekkei collaborates with external ideas and initiatives to solve social issues, and began co-creation with local social entrepreneurs. In 2026, we aim to generate value as a business.
Throughout 2023, we cultivated the foundation for our community while expanding our network through the operation of PYNT.In 2024, we explored co-creation projects—centered on ideas generated internally—to collaboratively shape the vision for the kind of city we want to see. To foster long-term relationships and nurture these projects, we launched “FUTURE COLLECTIVES,” a community where both internal and external participants can engage.Then, in 2025, we launched “FUTURE LENS” as a program where Nikken Sekkei collaborates with external ideas and initiatives to solve social issues, and began co-creation with local social entrepreneurs. In 2026, we aim to generate value as a business.
At PYNT, we define co-creation as a six-step process—from initial encounters to fostering mutual understanding and accelerating discussion, through to proof-of-concept and societal implementation—and aim to grow this initiative into a sustainable business over the medium to long term.
Now in its third year since launch, PYNT has attracted 813 external “PYNT MEMBERS” from the Private community who share our vision and collaborate with us.An average of 765 people visit each month, bringing the cumulative number of visitors to 26,000. Projects have emerged from the connections made here, resulting in 47 initiatives aimed at Proof of Concept (PoC) and implementation, with 23 of those having progressed to the social validation phase.
Now in its third year since launch, PYNT has attracted 813 external “PYNT MEMBERS” from the Private community who share our vision and collaborate with us.An average of 765 people visit each month, bringing the cumulative number of visitors to 26,000. Projects have emerged from the connections made here, resulting in 47 initiatives aimed at Proof of Concept (PoC) and implementation, with 23 of those having progressed to the social validation phase.
Here is a brief overview of three projects that have moved on to the social validation phase.
① Circular Design Collective
To realize the “circularization” of architecture and urban environments, we are researching Circular Design from the perspectives of the people and materials involved. Through cross-industry co-creation activities, we are pooling our collective knowledge and translating it into practical implementation. With a mission to eliminate the concept of “waste” from the construction industry, we aim to build a sustainable society.We have developed the “Circular Idea Catalog,” a collection of practical guidelines for enjoying and implementing Circular Design. In addition to our efforts to create a platform for accumulating and sharing expertise on resource circulation approaches, we are actively putting these principles into practice in real-world projects.
② Inclusive Design Research Team
This initiative, which began in earnest in 2024, aims to create a society where everyone can live and engage in activities in a way that is true to themselves.Going beyond conventional concepts of barrier-free design and universal design, we are reexamining the “structures of exclusion” within our society. By prioritizing the participation of those directly affected in the processes of architecture and urban planning, we are exploring the design of inclusive social environments. We are taking on the challenge of creating new value that stands apart from traditional approaches.As part of the renovation of Nikken Sekkei’s Takebashi Office, we held workshops involving both stakeholders and designers, leading to the realization of a project in which stakeholders actively participated.
① Circular Design Collective
To realize the “circularization” of architecture and urban environments, we are researching Circular Design from the perspectives of the people and materials involved. Through cross-industry co-creation activities, we are pooling our collective knowledge and translating it into practical implementation. With a mission to eliminate the concept of “waste” from the construction industry, we aim to build a sustainable society.We have developed the “Circular Idea Catalog,” a collection of practical guidelines for enjoying and implementing Circular Design. In addition to our efforts to create a platform for accumulating and sharing expertise on resource circulation approaches, we are actively putting these principles into practice in real-world projects.
② Inclusive Design Research Team
This initiative, which began in earnest in 2024, aims to create a society where everyone can live and engage in activities in a way that is true to themselves.Going beyond conventional concepts of barrier-free design and universal design, we are reexamining the “structures of exclusion” within our society. By prioritizing the participation of those directly affected in the processes of architecture and urban planning, we are exploring the design of inclusive social environments. We are taking on the challenge of creating new value that stands apart from traditional approaches.As part of the renovation of Nikken Sekkei’s Takebashi Office, we held workshops involving both stakeholders and designers, leading to the realization of a project in which stakeholders actively participated.
③ FUTURE LENS
This grant program is conducted in collaboration with companies working to solve social issues in their local communities. In the first phase, which began in 2025, we provided two years of support to three companies selected from 111 applicants. Employees of the Nikken Group act as "co-creation employees*3," providing continuous support from conception to implementation, bridging the gap between idea generation and social implementation (commercialization and practice) by utilizing the skills cultivated in urban planning, design, and consultation, such as "systematization and quantification" of value, "visualization" of issues, and interpretation and "structuring" of systems.
Future outlook towards 2030
In 2025, Nikken Sekkei formulated its Mid-Term Management Plan 2026–2030, titled “Embracing Transformation as a Social and Environmental Design Platform.” One of the goals outlined in this plan is to further expand its social issue-solving initiatives centered on PYNT.By combining the network of diverse experts and like-minded individuals that PYNT has built over the past three years with the advanced technical expertise and social capital that Nikken Sekkei has cultivated in architecture and urban design, we will establish an “implementation framework” that ensures ideas do not remain mere concepts but are firmly rooted in society,and lead to the creation of “social issue-solving businesses.” To this end, with an eye toward 2030, PYNT has set the following three new goals:
(1) Developing Co-creation Facilitators
Our first goal is to clarify the professional role of “Co-creation Facilitators*1,” who drive the co-creation process, and to establish a system for their development. In 2026, we will move forward with implementing these plans while also laying the groundwork for talent development.
② Hypothesis Testing Through Co-creation Projects
Second, through the “Co-Creation Project*2,” we will explore how to implement PYNT in society. We will define the themes and agendas for addressing social issues and further examine how to carry out projects that lead to social implementation. In 2026, we will proceed with discussions on the funding structure to support these efforts.
③ Expansion of PYNT Locations Nationwide
Third, we are expanding our capabilities to bridge the gap between co-creation and social implementation. In November 2025, we opened “PYNT Takebashi,” a facility dedicated to social implementation, establishing a two-location system alongside PYNT Tokyo, which serves as a hub for connecting people.Furthermore, starting in 2026, we will expand our network to Hokkaido, Kyushu, Osaka, and Nagoya, transforming local workplaces into spaces that foster the practice of “social environmental design.”
By networking our locations nationwide, we aim to frame regional challenges as themes relevant to all of Japan and serve as a foundation for sharing insights and best practices toward their resolution. We will evolve from the traditional realm of architectural design into a platform that generates and disseminates examples of social implementation.
(1) Developing Co-creation Facilitators
Our first goal is to clarify the professional role of “Co-creation Facilitators*1,” who drive the co-creation process, and to establish a system for their development. In 2026, we will move forward with implementing these plans while also laying the groundwork for talent development.
② Hypothesis Testing Through Co-creation Projects
Second, through the “Co-Creation Project*2,” we will explore how to implement PYNT in society. We will define the themes and agendas for addressing social issues and further examine how to carry out projects that lead to social implementation. In 2026, we will proceed with discussions on the funding structure to support these efforts.
③ Expansion of PYNT Locations Nationwide
Third, we are expanding our capabilities to bridge the gap between co-creation and social implementation. In November 2025, we opened “PYNT Takebashi,” a facility dedicated to social implementation, establishing a two-location system alongside PYNT Tokyo, which serves as a hub for connecting people.Furthermore, starting in 2026, we will expand our network to Hokkaido, Kyushu, Osaka, and Nagoya, transforming local workplaces into spaces that foster the practice of “social environmental design.”
By networking our locations nationwide, we aim to frame regional challenges as themes relevant to all of Japan and serve as a foundation for sharing insights and best practices toward their resolution. We will evolve from the traditional realm of architectural design into a platform that generates and disseminates examples of social implementation.
Left: PYNT Takebashi, Center: PYNT Hokkaido (Niitsu Photography Co., Ltd.), Right: PYNT Kyushu (Blitz Studio, Norihisa Ishii)
*1 Co-creation Facilitator: Connects passionate Private members, builds multidimensional relationships, and drives projects forward
※2 Co-creation Project: A social-impact initiative that aims for “social and environmental design,” progressing from initial encounters to small-scale initiatives
*3 Co-creation Employees: Experts from the Nikken Sekkei Group who support FUTURE LENS projects
※2 Co-creation Project: A social-impact initiative that aims for “social and environmental design,” progressing from initial encounters to small-scale initiatives
*3 Co-creation Employees: Experts from the Nikken Sekkei Group who support FUTURE LENS projects
About Nikken Sekkei
Nikken Sekkei is a professional services firm specializing in architectural and civil engineering design and supervision, urban design, and related research, planning, and consulting services. For 125 years since its founding in 1900, Nikken Sekkei has been committed to creating value through "social environment design," which aims to solve both explicit and implicit social issues, in order to meet the demands of society and the diverse needs of its clients. To date, it has been involved in various projects in Japan, China, ASEAN, and the Middle East, and in recent years has expanded into India and Europe.
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