Untold Proposals for the Future – Nikken Sekkei's Professional Services
Part 1: Nikken Sekkei's DX and the Future of Architecture (Part 1)

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In the world of architecture, what is now possible thanks to DX (digital transformation)?At Nikken Sekkei, we are taking on a variety of challenges by making full use of digital technology. For example, we are creating new forms of expression and services in every context—from geometry engineering to realize complex shapes, to dynamic and innovative facade designs, to the archiving of spatial data and the construction of XR (virtual reality) spaces.

Underpinning Nikken Sekkei’s DX efforts is the Digital Design Lab (DDL) within the Tech Design Group at Design & Technical Department.Established in 2011, the DDL consists of a total of 15 members who conduct independent research and development and collaborate with other departments to create new forms of architectural expression. We spoke with Daisuke Tsunoda Director, who leads the DDL, about the cutting edge of Nikken Sekkei’s DX efforts.

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Experience virtual reality with XR STUDIO—Developing a spatial experience interface

DDLによる空間体験インターフェース研究の成果として日建設計の東京本社に「XR STUDIO」という場所があります。

XR（Extended Reality）とは、現実と仮想空間を掛け合わせて、リアリティのある空間を体験するための技術の総称で、VRやAR（拡張現実）、MR（複合現実）を包含する概念です。そしてXR STUDIOは、床（4.8m×2.7m）と直交する壁2面（h=2.7m）の計3面に映像を投影し、建築設計のフェーズや目的に合わせた仮想空間を体験する場所となっています。XR STUDIOの活用事例を紹介していきましょう。

設計段階では3Dモデルを原寸大の三面図として投影し、位置や寸法を高い精度で確認します。寸法だけでなく、タイルや木といった素材も原寸で体験できます。つまりこれまでは模型やモックアップで検討していた内容を、XR STUDIOの映像技術を使えばより身体的に捉えて吟味することができ、設計に生かせるようになりました。

© Nikken Sekkei

Beyond the design phase, XR STUDIO plays a groundbreaking role as a presentation space. Projecting the completed CG allows it to be experienced as a virtual reality space, facilitating image sharing with clients.

© Nikken Sekkei

When determining the number of seats and the spacing between chairs in stadiums and halls, clients who want to increase the number of seats can now make decisions based on their feel for the space after experiencing it in full size, such as "I want it a little higher."

The system used in XR STUDIO, which projects 3D model images into three dimensions and allows for free scaling, was developed by DDL and is currently patent pending. We plan to expand its use to various other services in the future.

DDL's mission is "From imagination to experience, from experience to value." We aim to build systems that allow people to visualize a space and then concretely experience it, and further transform that experience into value for that space.

Geometry engineering for precisely outputting complex shapes.

Nikken Sekkei is putting into practice the rational and economical realization of freeform curved shapes as part of its digital transformation (DX) efforts. In the Shanghai AI TOWER in China, where Nikken Sekkei was in charge of the initial design, which corresponds to the basic design in Japan, the challenge was how to construct the lower-rise roof, covered with curved glass, exactly as originally planned, in order to express "wind," which is the design motif of the entire building.

This is where DDL-based geometry engineering comes in. Geometry engineering is the process of adjusting and transforming complex shapes into geometric shapes to solve problems. It is a technology that smoothly bridges the gap from design to construction.

For the "Shanghai AI TOWER," DDL considered how to divide the curved glass to make installation easier. They considered panel divisions that consisted only of planar rectangles and that were as close to the same size as possible. They used computer simulations to determine how many division patterns were necessary in total. The advantage of using computer simulations is that multiple patterns can be compared and evaluated.

Ultimately, we narrowed it down to 39 types of glass that maintained a smooth curved surface while also satisfying the requirements for ease of installation and economic rationality.

AI TOWER 🄫yangmin/mintwow

This type of geometric engineering has also been applied to the Wujiang Bus Terminal and Chongqing TOD in China, allowing us to faithfully realize our design vision.

Left: Wujiang Bus Terminal ©yangmin/mintwow
Right: Chongqing TOD 🄫Chongqing Longfor Jingnan Properties Co.,Ltd.

Daisuke Tsunoda

Executive Officer
Principal, Tech Design Group
Design & Technical Department

Daisuke Tsunoda joined Nikken Sekkei in 2002, after completing graduate studies in Architecture at Tokyo University of Science. His specialty is digital design integrated cutting-edge technology and information.
After joining the company, he worked in the Presentation Department before becoming a founding member of the Digital Design Lab (DDL) in 2011. Since then, he has driven the creation of new value in the architectural field through surprising design proposals that utilize cutting-edge technology. He has realized innovative solutions that integrate technology and design across numerous projects.
He leads R&D in cutting-edge technologies, promotes the use of AI, and drives the development of the company’s digital workplace, playing a central role in advancing Nikken Sekkei’s digital transformation (DX).

Daisuke Tsunoda

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