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At the forefront of theinformation revolution in architecture
Takenaka Corporation pushes the boundaries with computational design
In the 1980s, the architecture industry began to rapidly introduce information
technology (IT). The use of personal computers and computer-aided
design (CAD) systems assisted and supplemented drawing by hand.
Such a “computerized” process has made technical drawing much more
efficient. Also, the industry has tried to use 3-D digital information to improve
productivity and quality by introducing Building Information Modeling (BIM) atthe design and construction stages. Since the beginning of this century, theindustry has been exploring the possibilities of applying both the science andthe art of computing to solving design problems —­ “computational design.”
While inheriting the ethos of toryo (master builder) and traditional practices
of Japanese construction over the course of its 400-year history, Takenaka
Corporation has developed cutting-edge technologies in response to anincreasingly diverse society and environmental sustainability. We spoke
to Tomoaki Kawai, Managing Officer and General Manager of Design
Development in Takenaka’s Head Office, and Masaaki Matsuoka, Chief of theComputational Design Team of the Architectural Design Section of the Design
Department at the corporation’s main office in Osaka, and asked them how thecompany uses and promotes computational design.

Tomoaki Kawai (left),
Managing Officer andGeneral Manager of
Design Development
in Takenaka’s Head
Office and Masaaki
Matsuoka (right), Chiefof the Computational
Design Team of theArchitectural Design
Section of the Design
Department.

What is computational design?
Kawai: The progressive improvement in computer
performance in recent years in terms of processing
power and sophistication has enabled us to integrate
more and more software into the architectural process.
Designers traditionally rely on judgments based on
intuition and experience to solve design problems,and make modifications over and over again to fulfill
their client’s needs during the manufacturing process.
Now, computers are able to process vast amounts
of information and various parameters that rapidly
lead us to a variety of optimal design options andsolutions. This is called computational design. One
advantage is that computational design can visualize“invisible” environmental factors such as air currents,
temperatures, acoustics and traffic as graphic data
onscreen, which we share with our clients and project
members from the early stages of manufacturing.
From 2010 onward, the architecture industry began
to introduce computational design against thebackdrop of client needs growing more diversified andsophisticated. Our approach can be seen in several
advanced examples that we completed recently.

Innovative design for office windows
Kawai: The first example is the Nippon Kaiji Kentei
Kyokai Headquarters, which was completed in January
2018 on Yaesu-dori, a street near Tokyo Station. It is abusiness district mainly comprised of slender buildings
standing side by side on small plots facing the street
at the front and rear. Because of the area’s high land
values, the client wanted to make the maximum use of

Nippon Kaiji Kentei
Kyokai Headquarters.
Computational design
was used to determine
the optimum positionof the louvers in
consultation with theclient.

every inch of the small building. In order to transformthe area near the windows which is usually exposed
to strong sunlight into a comfortable workspace, wedecided to use louver windows that absorb direct
daylight. In deciding the layout of the louvers, weemployed computational design. In the planningphase, we used an algorithm that allows the positionsof the louvers to be freely adjusted, and we shared avisualization of the louvers onscreen with the client,moving their positions as we changed various elements
such as city conditions, amount of daylight and how
people inside the building may feel, and reached asolution that met the client’s needs. As well as a simple
environmental simulation, we are starting to be able
to quantify and visualize criteria related to humansensitivities, which are difficult to quantify, with the helpof our engineering laboratory.
When we are seeking to reach an optimal solution fromamong multiple options, computational design serves
as a platform where designers, engineers and the client
can share data, rather than simply rely on the designer’sinstinct. It also serves as a catalyst to help us produce
new ideas, stimulated by the output from the computer.
Eventually, the NKKK louver windows were arranged
in an irregular, distinctive layout, which created anintriguing façade that made the headquarters stand out
among the surrounding office buildings.

Pursuit of R&D center
embodying a corporate image
Matsuoka: A new R&D center named DISC (DescenteInnovation Studio Complex) was completed in July
2018 in Ibaraki, Osaka Prefecture, for Japanesesports brand Descente. The company stressed theneed to embody in the design the corporate image
that is condensed in its name Descente derived fromthe French word meaning “downhill.” So, we tasked
ourselves with satisfying the client’s request by having
the architecture of the multipurpose facility express“downhill.” The center, which has functions fromadministrative work to scientific research, incorporates
offices, a facility where clothing performance is tested,a laboratory that checks the resistance of clothing
in different climate conditions, and even a space forsewing machines. Our final design proposal, which

Computational design generated a one-of-a-kind
Toyota Corolla car dealership that creates a fresh
customer experience.

that cars can be driven from the ground floor directly
to the rooftop. The system also verified whether thestructure was optimal and how it affects the interior,including the lighting.
The client wanted a one-of-a-kind dealership thatwould create a fresh customer experience. In the past,
an innovative solution would depend on the designer’s
talent. Computational design, however, offers us
different kinds of solutions beyond our normal reach,and has the potential to push us to think outside thebox and set our imaginations free.

Sustainable urban planningwins an international competition
Digital model of the DISC (Descente Innovation
Studio Complex) exterior. Before computational
design, analog models had to be built.

was approved by the company, featured a symbolic
structure on a hill, with five overlapping roofs in a motif
expressing the speed and elegance of “downhill,”
representing the corporate image of Descente.
When it came to construction, it was not easy to balance
requirements such as comfort level, office functionality
and workspace area because of the complicatedshape and overlapping design of the five roofs. Before
we embraced computational design, we would makean analog model, but this time, we used computers
to produce a digital model. We projected a variety ofcomputer-simulated designs onscreen at meetings anddiscussions that brought together the client, structuraland facility designers, and engineers. This way, instead ofpreparing innumerable drafts by hand for client approval,
we were able to reach a final decision much sooner andget the final go-ahead from the client.
Kawai: For this project, we also developed
computational software in cooperation with Kyoto
University. The software can process real manufacturing
and procurement information, and simulate how to
select and assemble appropriate materials to fabricate
the steel structure. The project confirmed the software’s
usefulness in controlling costs.

Attention-grabbing,
one-of-a-kind car dealership
Kawai: The Meishin Toyota Corolla car dealership inIbaraki, Osaka Prefecture, was completed in August
2018. The client’s priority was to attract potential
buyers and increase customer traffic to the lot.
Taking into account the specific conditions createdby the shape of the premises and the surrounding
environment, our computational design systemgenerated a distinct form that has a gentle slope soKawai: While most advanced software is produced
and utilized overseas before being introduced in Japan,
the application of computer software has the potential
to transcend borders and nationalities, enabling
Japanese projects to be shared with collaborators
abroad. Taking advantage of such international
networks, Matsuoka’s team won an urban planningcompetition in China. Computational design is also
effective in the field of urban planning because it allows
us to develop a city while preserving the landscapeand making good use of the natural geography

For the Guizhou competition, computers found contour lines along which
residential areas could be constructed while preserving the site's terrain.

and environment ― an approach that has earned
Takenaka high recognition internationally.
Matsuoka: For the competition, we tackled the major
challenge of constructing a modern town in a rural partof the mountainous province of Guizhou in southwest
China, featuring oriental landscapes. There were1,184 entries from around the world. First, our teamobserved the geography very carefully and analyzed
the characteristics of the landscape. Using computers,
we sliced up the site along contour lines and calculated
the altitude at which we could secure as much landTomoaki Kawai (left),
Managing Officer andGeneral Manager of
Design Development
in Takenaka’s HeadOffice and Masaaki
Matsuoka (right), Chiefof the Computational
Design Team of theArchitectural Design
Section of the Design
Department.

What is computational design?
Kawai: The progressive improvement in computer
performance in recent years in terms of processing
power and sophistication has enabled us to integrate
more and more software into the architectural process.
Designers traditionally rely on judgments based on
intuition and experience to solve design problems,and make modifications over and over again to fulfill
their client’s needs during the manufacturing process.
Now, computers are able to process vast amounts
of information and various parameters that rapidly
lead us to a variety of optimal design options andsolutions. This is called computational design. One
advantage is that computational design can visualize“invisible” environmental factors such as air currents,
temperatures, acoustics and traffic as graphic data
onscreen, which we share with our clients and project
members from the early stages of manufacturing.
From 2010 onward, the architecture industry began
to introduce computational design against thebackdrop of client needs growing more diversified andsophisticated. Our approach can be seen in several
advanced examples that we completed recently.

Innovative design for office windows
Kawai: The first example is the Nippon Kaiji Kentei
Kyokai Headquarters, which was completed in January
2018 on Yaesu-dori, a street near Tokyo Station. It is abusiness district mainly comprised of slender buildings
standing side by side on small plots facing the street
at the front and rear. Because of the area’s high land
values, the client wanted to make the maximum use ofNippon Kaiji Kentei
Kyokai Headquarters.
Computational design
was used to determine
the optimum positionof the louvers inconsultation with theclient.

every inch of the small building. In order to transformthe area near the windows which is usually exposed
to strong sunlight into a comfortable workspace, wedecided to use louver windows that absorb direct
daylight. In deciding the layout of the louvers, weemployed computational design. In the planningphase, we used an algorithm that allows the positionsof the louvers to be freely adjusted, and we shared avisualization of the louvers onscreen with the client,moving their positions as we changed various elements
such as city conditions, amount of daylight and howpeople inside the building may feel, and reached asolution that met the client’s needs. As well as a simple
environmental simulation, we are starting to be able
to quantify and visualize criteria related to humansensitivities, which are difficult to quantify, with the helpof our engineering laboratory.
When we are seeking to reach an optimal solution fromamong multiple options, computational design serves
as a platform where designers, engineers and the client
can share data, rather than simply rely on the designer’sinstinct. It also serves as a catalyst to help us produce
new ideas, stimulated by the output from the computer.
Eventually, the NKKK louver windows were arranged
in an irregular, distinctive layout, which created anintriguing façade that made the headquarters stand out
among the surrounding office buildings.

Pursuit of R&D center
embodying a corporate image
Matsuoka: A new R&D center named DISC (DescenteInnovation Studio Complex) was completed in July
2018 in Ibaraki, Osaka Prefecture, for Japanesesports brand Descente. The company stressed theneed to embody in the design the corporate image
that is condensed in its name Descente derived fromthe French word meaning “downhill.” So, we tasked
ourselves with satisfying the client’s request by having
the architecture of the multipurpose facility express“downhill.” The center, which has functions fromadministrative work to scientific research, incorporates
offices, a facility where clothing performance is tested,a laboratory that checks the resistance of clothing
in different climate conditions, and even a space forsewing machines. Our final design proposal, which

Computational design generated a one-of-a-kind
Toyota Corolla car dealership that creates a freshcustomer experience.

that cars can be driven from the ground floor directly
to the rooftop. The system also verified whether thestructure was optimal and how it affects the interior,including the lighting.
The client wanted a one-of-a-kind dealership thatwould create a fresh customer experience. In the past,
an innovative solution would depend on the designer’stalent. Computational design, however, offers us
different kinds of solutions beyond our normal reach,and has the potential to push us to think outside thebox and set our imaginations free.

Sustainable urban planningwins an international competition
Digital model of the DISC (Descente Innovation
Studio Complex) exterior. Before computational
design, analog models had to be built.

was approved by the company, featured a symbolic
structure on a hill, with five overlapping roofs in a motif
expressing the speed and elegance of “downhill,”
representing the corporate image of Descente.
When it came to construction, it was not easy to balance
requirements such as comfort level, office functionality
and workspace area because of the complicatedshape and overlapping design of the five roofs. Beforewe embraced computational design, we would makean analog model, but this time, we used computers
to produce a digital model. We projected a variety ofcomputer-simulated designs onscreen at meetings anddiscussions that brought together the client, structuraland facility designers, and engineers. This way, instead ofpreparing innumerable drafts by hand for client approval,
we were able to reach a final decision much sooner andget the final go-ahead from the client.
Kawai: For this project, we also developed
computational software in cooperation with Kyoto
University. The software can process real manufacturing
and procurement information, and simulate how toselect and assemble appropriate materials to fabricate
the steel structure. The project confirmed the software’s
usefulness in controlling costs.

Attention-grabbing,
one-of-a-kind car dealership
Kawai: The Meishin Toyota Corolla car dealership in
Ibaraki, Osaka Prefecture, was completed in August
2018. The client’s priority was to attract potential
buyers and increase customer traffic to the lot.
Taking into account the specific conditions createdby the shape of the premises and the surrounding
environment, our computational design systemgenerated a distinct form that has a gentle slope so

Kawai: While most advanced software is produced
and utilized overseas before being introduced in Japan,
the application of computer software has the potential
to transcend borders and nationalities, enabling
Japanese projects to be shared with collaborators
abroad. Taking advantage of such international
networks, Matsuoka’s team won an urban planningcompetition in China. Computational design is also
effective in the field of urban planning because it allows
us to develop a city while preserving the landscapeand making good use of the natural geography

For the Guizhou competition, computers found contour lines along which
residential areas could be constructed while preserving the site's terrain.

and environment ― an approach that has earned
Takenaka high recognition internationally.
Matsuoka: For the competition, we tackled the major
challenge of constructing a modern town in a rural partof the mountainous province of Guizhou in southwest
China, featuring oriental landscapes. There were1,184 entries from around the world. First, our teamobserved the geography very carefully and analyzed
the characteristics of the landscape. Using computers,
we sliced up the site along contour lines and calculated
the altitude at which we could secure as much landInterior of theDISC (DescenteInnovation
Studio Complex).
Computers canprovide solutions
that go beyond
the boundaries
of humanimagination.

as possible where people could live. Also, marking
the gradients in different colors produced several
contour-like loops beside the flat fields and the steep
mountain forests. These loops only became apparent
by processing data with computers, something thatwould have been unrealistic calculating by hand.
We proposed constructing residential areas along
these loops, which created a unique cityscape that
preserved the natural landscape.

Promoting computational designin a broad sense
Kawai: As we have described, the advantages ofcomputational design lie in the computers’ capabilities:
Computers can produce output much more rapidly
than calculating by hand; they can provide us withsolutions that go way beyond the boundaries of humanimagination; and they can visualize data and ideas that
we can share with our clients. Currently, human beings
choose the best solution from among the multiple
design options produced by the computer. The next
step is to let the computer be the judge and choose theoptimum solution by artificial intelligence (AI). To begin
the process, we started developing a system using AI
in the field of structural design last year in collaboration
with a shogi (Japanese chess) software company. In
this system, AI learns about structural designs that ourcompany has been involved with and generates the bestsolutions based on previous experience.
Also, we want to integrate the computational design
process into BIM (Building Information Modeling) forthe construction phase so that we can make useof the computational data at the early design stageof manufacturing too. With our origins dating backmore than 400 years to the miyadaiku (carpenters
who specialized in temple and shrine construction),
Takenaka continues to deliver an array of services fromdesign to construction. Now, replacing our traditional
manufacturing methods with digital data processing,
we look at “computational design” in a broad sense
including AI and BIM. Using digital technology, wewant to increase productivity and promote high-quality
projects of high value.
As an outcome of the advanced approaches being
adopted for projects at our various branches, a new
section dedicated to computational design wasestablished at our headquarters in March 2018 tocarry out global research, develop optimal systems
and techniques, and accelerate integration of theseapproaches in leading-edge projects.
With around 1,600 staff in design sections alone, ourcompany is a global force. Our organizational strength,
which in a very large part is based on a talented
workforce weaving their ideas into our designs, will
evolve to another level and create the new values byintroducing the power of computers. Also, we will
promote digital construction using technology suchas robotics and IoT (Internet of Things). Ultimately,
we will offer comprehensive services that include
the operation and maintenance of buildings we havedesigned and constructed using digital information,and use this information to provide effective operational
feedback to the design stage of new projects, thereby
completing the IT circle in the architecture industry.

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www.takenaka.co.jp