ABURAMOTO Suzuka (left) of the Facility
Planning Office, and MOCHINAGA Mai(right), director of the Facility Division andDisaster Prevention & Security Division at
Japan Airport Terminal Co., Ltd., areenthusiastic about Haneda Airport’s
decarbonization efforts and future prospects.

AIMING FOR A
SUSTAINABLE AIRPORT:TERMINAL
INTRODUCING A HYBRID WOOD-STEEL STRUCTURE

took the initiative to soundout stakeholders, visit woodenbuilding material factories, andinvestigate the durability of oldwooden structures, gathering
data and materials.” As a result,they arrived at a hybrid solution
incorporating steel frames for thefirst floor, which experiences heavy
traffic from ground vehicles, andwood for the upper floors usedby passengers, ensuring safety,functionality, and comfort.
Aburamoto explained, “We
discovered that opting for wooden
construction could reduce CO2
emissions during construction
by 2,630 tons, which sparked
enthusiasm
amongyoungeremployees.” Buildings that seek
to achieve a net-zero energy

AT HANEDA AIRPORTTokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport) has decided to employ a hybrid wood-steel structure for its new north satellite
facility at Terminal 1 as part of its efforts toward decarbonization. Combining carbon reduction and seismic resilience withaesthetic appeal, the new facility—still under construction—will showcase Japan’s unique craftsmanship.
Japan is steadily heading toward
its goal of net-zero emissions by
2050, aiming to effectively eliminate
greenhouse gas emissions. Airports
are playing a crucial role in these
efforts, especially given that planes
emit a comparatively large amountof carbon dioxide per unit oftransportation relative to busesand trains. Construction began
in May 2024 on a new satellite
facility using a hybrid wood-steelstructure, situated to the north ofTerminal 1 at Tokyo International
Airport (Haneda Airport), as partof its decarbonization initiatives.
“Our initial plans didn’t in fact
incorporate any wood, but during
review suggestions came in—mainly from younger staff—totake on the challenge of using it, so
we decided to change our plans,”notes ABURAMOTO Suzuka
from the Facility Planning Officeat Japan Airport Terminal Co.,
Ltd., the firm that constructs,
manages, and runs Haneda
Airport’s passenger terminals.
“Initially, there were all sortsof concerns about whether it
could meet the requirements
for a passenger terminal interms of seismic resistance, fireresistance, and functionality, but
we addressed and resolved them
one by one. Younger employees

Top: Digital rendering of a completed waiting
area in the north satellite. Temperaturecontrolled air will be circulated from the floor,
ensuring effective air conditioning for the wholespace. JAPAN AIRPORT TERMINAL
Bottom: Digital rendering of a completed
boarding bridge, which evokes an eco-friendly
feel while maintaining the warmth of the wood.
JAPAN AIRPORT TERMINAL

Digital rendering of the completed hybrid wood-steel structure used for the new north satellite facility
extending from Haneda Airport Terminal 1. JAPAN AIRPORT TERMINAL CO., LTD.

balance annually, while ensuring
comfortable indoor environments,
are referred to as Net Zero Energy
Buildings (ZEBs). But before
making that grade, Haneda
Airport Passenger Terminal firstwants to gain “ZEB Oriented”
certification as the preliminary stepon the domestic ZEB index. The
goal is to reduce annual primaryenergy consumption in the newfacility by more than 30%.
“In the aim for ZEB certification,
there is a tendency for builders toavoid large windows to prevent
risingindoortemperatures
stemming from direct sunlight.
But that would deprive customersof the enjoyment of watching
airplanes through the windows.
We therefore aimed to balanceenergy efficiency with comfort
in the terminal building, which
is why we decided to pursue ZEB
Oriented [certification] first,”
according to Aburamoto.
Meanwhile, MOCHINAGA
Mai, director of the Facility
Division and Disaster Prevention& Security Division at Japan
Airport Terminal, is optimisticabout the possibility of the ripple
effect that the initiative at Haneda
Airport may have on the rest of
the country. “Haneda Airport isthe first among Japan’s 28 major
airports to adopt a hybrid woodsteel structure for its terminals.
Achieving that at Haneda—thegateway to Japan’s skies—should
serve as a useful reference point for
decarbonization efforts at otherairports nationwide,” she said.
Japan’s unique technologies arealso being used in the new northsatellite terminal. For instance,
a construction method has been
employed that ensures high seismicresistance while maintaining anaesthetically pleasing appearance
through the use of hidden bolts
and components. The building
can therefore meet Japan’s strict
earthquake
standards
whilemaintaining its beauty. And inwaiting areas, the aim is to create
an efficient air conditioning
system by circulating temperaturecontrolled air from below the floor
rather than blowing it down fromthe ceiling.
Additionally, Haneda Airport
is looking into introducing AIbased temperature control systems
that target high traffic areas, whileworking with other companies toexplore hydrogen as a promisingnext-generation energy source.
Mochinaga is resolute inher determination. “I want totransform airports from meretransit hubs into memorable
spaces. By using domesticallysourced wood, I hope that wecan help people feel connected tonature as we create a state-of-theart airport that benefits both theenvironment and people.”