The client wished to create a building that would express the dignity of the global firm but also the firm's views towards its employees, the environment, and its neighborhood. The headquarters should offer a healthy, comfortable, reliable, and economical workplace and have a mutually beneficial relationship with the neighborhood over a long timespan. After many discussions, the goal was set to design a building with a life span of 120 years with Maximum Sustainability and Minimum Life-cycle Cost.

The 10-storey building with 2-basement floors was designed with a seismic base-isolation system to allow the structure to withstand large earthquakes. The typical core elements were pushed to the perimeter to allow updating the building services easily and to create a continuous and flexible workspace.

The main fa̤ade is oriented west and faces an elevated highway in a busy area. The solution was a fa̤ade system comprised of a delicate aluminum screen and double-pane glazing with built-in climber-blinds. The 2-layer screen of extruded aluminum with a Y-section creates a uniform yet varying expression that the passersby could enjoy as they walk by. The combination shuts out 50% of direct sunlight, while maintaining an openness and connection to the surrounding. Various aluminum extrusions and panels are incorporated throughout the building to showcase the client's manufacturing expertise and qualities of aluminum.

Various state-of-the-art technologies were adopted to create a comfortable workplace and energy-efficient building. YKK80 was the first office building in Japan to receive LEED-CS Platinum-certification and first building in Japan to receive First Place of ASHRAE Technology Awards.

Credits: - (Photo) - Ken'ichi Suzuki - (Photo) - Rainer Viertlbock - Forward Stroke (Photo)