Topics 2010

Takenaka has drastically reduced annual energy con-sumption at its Tokyo Main Office Building. The build-ing accounted for a total reduction of 34 percent (energy intensity*: 19 percent) in 2005, the first year of occupancy, compared to the average annual energy consumption between 2002-2004 at the previous main office building. Furthermore with continuous improve-ments, results indicate that in 2009, there was a total energy reduction of 20 percent, compared to that in 2005. This energy savings is owing to: the use of natu-ral ventilation; solar- and heat-collection ducts; and the adoption of various environmental technologies.

Takenaka Corporation Tokyo Main Office
Design & Construction:Takenaka Corporation
Total Floor Space: 29,747m²
Structure: S, 7Fl. above groundZero

Envisioning a sustainable society for future genera-tions, Takenaka has conceived the environmental mes-sage, "Connecting People with Nature." This catch-phrase guides us toward 2050, when we hope to attain the following goals: To enrich the senses and creativity; to preserve nature; to build zero-carbon buildings; and to realize a carbon-neutral urban environment. Crucial to these goals are plans to construct zero-carbon architecture by the year 2030, and "carbon-minus" architecture by 2050. In so doing we will set an energy-reduction target and endeavor to meet it. In our publication Environmental Concept Book: Target for 2050, published in Japanese in June 2010, we clearly delineate these goals and how we endeavor to attain them through Takenaka's innovative architecture and technology.

Environmental Concept BookAward

As part of its active involvement with the Conference of the Parties (COP 10) Partnership Project, Takenaka has been involved with a project titled "Nagoya−The City Where Butterflies Fly," since January 2010. The "Butterflies Fly" project utilizes butterflies as an index organism. To attract butterflies, planters with various types of plants have been placed at about 10 locations in Nagoya. The types and number of butterflies attracted to each planter are under study for three years, until November 2012. In August 2010, the web-site "www. nagoyabutterfly.com" was created where photos, updated reports and information on the project can be found. This coverage includes photos of cater-pillars and butterfly observations by locals and groups of elementary school students.

Local students learn about the project.

Nagoya Butterfly Project website

The Osaka Environmental Award was established in 1997 by Osaka Prefecture and the Osaka Citizens Environment Conference in order to acknowledge those individuals and groups who promote worthy environmental activities. In 2010, a group of volunteers from Takenaka's Osaka Head Office calling themselves "For Osaka's Future" submitted three proposals to be considered for the Environmental Award. These were: "Nakanoshima Island Project," "Natural Pergola," and "Eco-school Excursion." The group was awarded the Encouragement Prize for activities leading to the creation of a lush natural environment.

Award ceremony

Encouragement Prize Award

On September 30, 2009, a powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck Padang in Indonesia's West Sumatra. The number of casualties totaled over 4,000, and tremendous damage was done to the infrastructure. A total of 2,943 classrooms were damaged, affecting some 90,000 children. The Jakarta Japan Club (JJC), of which Takenaka Indonesia is a member, in joint cooperation with Andalas University, provided assistance in incorpo-rating aseismic reinforcement to four damaged schools. Takenaka, in addition to contributing monetary dona-tions, also participated in volunteer activities through a reconstruction aid and assistance project.

Signing ceremony of the reconstruction aid project

Earthquake-damaged school

Takenaka was in charge of design and construction in the rebuilding of Fuchu-Shinmachi Kindergarten in Tokyo. During the construction period, on September 16 and November 11, 2010, art workshops were held for students with the collaboration of popular Japanese artists Mitsuhiro Ikeda and Mitsue Ogiso. The work-shops were included as part of Takenaka's original bid proposal for the renovation project. Completed in March 2011, the new Kindergarten building is situated so that its "symbol"−a 40 year-old cherry tree− can be viewed from anywhere within the building.

Children view their completed work.

Kindergarten students display art work.

The Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum held a 25th Anniversary Touring Exhibition, "Toryo–The World of Temple and Shrine Carpenters." The tour began in Tokyo and then traveled to Sapporo, Kobe and Nagoya. The Nagoya exhibition was held at The Toyota Com-memorative Museum of Industry and Technology from November 20 to December 28, 2010. The touring exhibit featured round columns and authentic hand-written technical drawings. At the opening event in Nagoya, the assembly of a full-scale model of the bracket complex used in the Golden Hall of Toshodai-ji temple took place.

Round columns and drawings on exhibit

Assembly of bracket complex

Located on the first floor of Takenaka's Main Office Building in Tokyo, Gallery A4 showcases various exhib-its to the public. Two such events in 2010 were "World Architecture School 2010 −Architectural Association School of Architecture− London" from July 30 to Sep-tember 24, which introduced Britain's oldest architec-tural school, known for its innovative methodology. From November 11 to December 22, leading contem-porary dancer Kaiji Moriyama was appointed guest cura-tor for the exhibit "Kaiji Moriyama−Box−Man−Box, Dance/Space/Image."

World Architecture School 2010 exhibit

Kaiji Moriyama exhibit