Scheduled for completion in 2028, the new 100-meter-tall headquarters of Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co. in Tokyo is defined by its striking wooden mega-columns, a "forest" of columns that shapes the building’s character and identity while embodying its commitment to innovation and sustainability.
Albert Giralt, Partner in charge of the project, delves into the critical role of engineering in achieving the building's ambitious goals. Working in close collaboration with Arup, the design team identified four key objectives for the project: robustness, to ensure performance against natural challenges like earthquakes and typhoons; resilience, to adapt and endure over time; adaptability, to meet the evolving needs of its users; and sustainability, to minimize its environmental footprint.
Albert discusses how these principles guided the project’s development—from its hybrid timber structure to its four types of façades—making it an inspiration for future timber-hybrid constructions.
