"The World's Most Interesting Structural Design," a Book That Reveals the Essence of Structural Design, Now on Sale
Exploring the little-known creative processes of structural design, this book features 26 case studies illustrated with abundant visuals

Nikken Sekkei Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director President and CEO: Atsushi Omatsu; hereinafter “Nikken Sekkei”) will release its new book, *The World’s Most Interesting Structural Design*, at bookstores nationwide and online bookstores starting Tuesday, December 3, 2024.This book goes beyond the mere design of frameworks that support buildings to explore the appeal of structural design in creating a building’s “form” and “spatial experience.” It explains the essence and creative process of structural design—the foundation of architecture—offering readers the opportunity to delve into the depth and complexity of structural design.

Structural design serves as the foundation that supports a building’s framework, yet it also involves a creative process that shapes the structure while harmonizing with the architectural design. This process not only ensures a building’s safety and durability but is also key to creating an appealing spatial experience for its users. However, opportunities to clearly convey the depth and ingenuity of structural design are currently limited.

Through 26 project case studies, this book unravels the essence and depth of structural design by exploring how a building’s form and shape emerge from the ingenuity of “structural planning,” while also shedding light on the designers’ thought processes and challenges in supporting these structures.It also includes a Q&A section that traces the history and development of architectural structural technology—an indispensable aspect of structural design. Presented alongside abundant illustrations, the content allows readers to enjoy learning about the significance and appeal of structural design without requiring specialized knowledge, making this book an ideal resource for university courses and study materials.

“Structural design is the most fascinating job in the world.” With those words from my senior colleagues in mind, I, too, have been involved in a wide variety of architectural projects as a structural engineer. The role of structural design is not merely to create the framework that supports a building, but also to consider harmony with the design and provide users with an engaging spatial experience. However, there aren’t many opportunities to convey just how fascinating this work is.I hope this book will give you a glimpse into the essence of structural design and serve as a starting point for appreciating the depth of the work involved in supporting buildings.