Create a state of being "next to each other."
— Nikken Sekkei x Frontier Nikken Sekkei Co-creation —
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As society becomes increasingly diverse, Nikken Sekkei believes that design needs to shift from "For" to "With," and is promoting inclusive design. Together with Frontier Nikken Sekkei (FNS), we are practicing co-creation while building a state where diverse people are "next to each other," and through the collaboration of different sensibilities and perspectives, we are creating new value in architecture and cities, and envisioning a future of inclusive society.
From a place where diverse sensibilities intersect, we paint the future of design.
In this era of significant societal change, we are entering a time when we must naturally accept that each individual possesses different characteristics and sensibilities, and live in harmony with diverse people. Due to the declining birthrate, aging population, and diversification of work styles, everyone will inevitably face situations at some point in their lives where they need some form of constraint or support.
In this kind of society, what is needed is a "With" design that goes beyond the "For" concept of creating an environment that everyone can comfortably use, and instead creates new value by thinking together with different people. Nikken Sekkei is rooted in the philosophy of inclusive design and is striving to envision a richer future for cities and architecture by collaborating with diverse people.
In this kind of society, what is needed is a "With" design that goes beyond the "For" concept of creating an environment that everyone can comfortably use, and instead creates new value by thinking together with different people. Nikken Sekkei is rooted in the philosophy of inclusive design and is striving to envision a richer future for cities and architecture by collaborating with diverse people.
As a practical application of this, we are working with Frontier Nikken Sekkei (FNS) to create an environment where people feel like they are "right beside you" in their daily lives.
Co-creation that begins with "being next to someone"
FNS brings together members with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, working in the same office as Nikken Sekkei. With the belief that new insights and creativity can emerge when people with diverse characteristics collaborate while leveraging their respective expertise, a collaborative project began where both parties work together as "side-by-side" teams.
The first step in this process was workshops held in conjunction with the renovation and construction of offices in each district, and the nationwide expansion of PYNT. Designers and FNS members gathered around the same table, exchanging opinions based on drawings, and sometimes walking around the sites together. Through this process, differences in perceptions and perspectives on space generated new ideas and improved the quality of the designs.
The first step in this process was workshops held in conjunction with the renovation and construction of offices in each district, and the nationwide expansion of PYNT. Designers and FNS members gathered around the same table, exchanging opinions based on drawings, and sometimes walking around the sites together. Through this process, differences in perceptions and perspectives on space generated new ideas and improved the quality of the designs.
By thinking and feeling together, architecture and spaces enrich people's experiences, and everyone involved becomes an active participant in shaping society—that is the "With" design we aim for.
Work together, build the future together.
This initiative is not a special project, but rather a new step in the evolution of the entire Nikken Sekkei Group. FNS's diverse perspectives raise new questions about design, management, and project management, while the knowledge gathered at Nikken Sekkei embodies these ideas in societal form. This collaboration between the two is also an experiment that expands the possibilities of design.
Going forward, we will continuously develop workshops and collaborative spaces to extend the principles of inclusive design to all kinds of projects, including office design and urban development.
"Being next to someone" doesn't just mean being physically close. It means a relationship where diverse people respect each other's differences, think together, and act together based on that understanding. We believe that such relationships transform organizations and society into more flexible and inclusive entities.
Spending time together, working together, and contributing to society together. By transforming the philosophy of inclusive design into daily practice, we will continue to design a future where we are "by each other's side."
Going forward, we will continuously develop workshops and collaborative spaces to extend the principles of inclusive design to all kinds of projects, including office design and urban development.
"Being next to someone" doesn't just mean being physically close. It means a relationship where diverse people respect each other's differences, think together, and act together based on that understanding. We believe that such relationships transform organizations and society into more flexible and inclusive entities.
Spending time together, working together, and contributing to society together. By transforming the philosophy of inclusive design into daily practice, we will continue to design a future where we are "by each other's side."
