Designing a social environment that is tailored to each individual.
SCROLL DOWN
In today’s world, where societal values continue to diversify and evolve, “creating designs and values that address increasingly complex social issues” is essential to realizing a truly prosperous society.
To achieve this, we need a social environment where people with diverse values, experiences, talents, and lifestyles—regardless of race, nationality, religion, gender, age, physical or mental condition, gender identity, or sexual orientation—can fully utilize their abilities and live authentically.
With the goal of realizing such a social environment, we will continue to collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds and with varying needs to think and design together.
Inclusive Design: Toward Architecture and Cities That Respect Everyone
The buildings and cities we use every day are fair places open to everyone.
To create such equitable spaces, we have designed them based on the concepts of barrier-free design and universal design. Thanks to these efforts, we have been able to realize many buildings and cities that are easy to use. On the other hand, there are times when specific needs are not fully met, leaving some people behind.
To address these challenges, we are embracing the approach known as inclusive design. Inclusive design is a process that embraces the differences and characteristics of each individual, allowing those with specific needs to participate in projects as design partners to help shape the design.
This approach makes it possible to incorporate new insights into design regarding the provision of services to people who have often been overlooked in the past.
To create such equitable spaces, we have designed them based on the concepts of barrier-free design and universal design. Thanks to these efforts, we have been able to realize many buildings and cities that are easy to use. On the other hand, there are times when specific needs are not fully met, leaving some people behind.
To address these challenges, we are embracing the approach known as inclusive design. Inclusive design is a process that embraces the differences and characteristics of each individual, allowing those with specific needs to participate in projects as design partners to help shape the design.
This approach makes it possible to incorporate new insights into design regarding the provision of services to people who have often been overlooked in the past.
Starting with Co-Creation with the Stakeholders
While steadily advancing universal design and barrier-free initiatives, we are also pursuing various initiatives that incorporate inclusive design processes with the goal of realizing more inclusive and creative architecture and urban spaces.
First, in collaboration with Frontier Nikken Sekkei, our subsidiary for people with disabilities, we have launched a design process that involves people with disabilities, including holding workshops to deepen understanding of disabilities. In this process, people with specific needs are not merely participants in consultations but are actively involved as design partners.
First, in collaboration with Frontier Nikken Sekkei, our subsidiary for people with disabilities, we have launched a design process that involves people with disabilities, including holding workshops to deepen understanding of disabilities. In this process, people with specific needs are not merely participants in consultations but are actively involved as design partners.
An Inclusive Society Achieved Through Co-Creation
To realize an inclusive society, it is essential for many people and organizations to share an understanding of the current situation and work together. In 2024, Nikken Sekkei established an Inclusive Design Research Team and began initiatives to create new value through co-creation with partners both inside and outside the company.
Aiming for a society that respects diversity and embraces inclusivity, we will put the inclusive design process into practice alongside experts in architectural and urban design, as well as the many people who aspire to realize a diverse society, thereby promoting the future evolution of architecture and urban spaces.
Aiming for a society that respects diversity and embraces inclusivity, we will put the inclusive design process into practice alongside experts in architectural and urban design, as well as the many people who aspire to realize a diverse society, thereby promoting the future evolution of architecture and urban spaces.
Inclusive Design Research Team
Nikken Sekkei’s Inclusive Design Research Team is composed of architectural design and urban planning experts from within the Nikken Group, as well as individuals with disabilities and other specific needs. Furthermore, in collaboration with external partners, the team aims to “design social environments for a diverse range of people, together with those directly affected,” through the practice of universal design and inclusive design.
