●An architectural answer to water issues presented by a leading water company

The Kurita Innovation Hub is a new R&D center for Kurita Water Industries, which operates a water treatment business and aims to create innovations to solve social and industrial issues. Our challenge was to create Japan's first “zero water building” (ZWB) to improve the global water environment.

Akishima City in Tokyo, where the project is located, uses only groundwater as its source of tap water. By creating a ZWB, we aimed to achieve the synergistic effect of conserving the water cycle in the region. Groundwater usage is reduced by reusing water via water treatment facilities. Simultaneously, rainwater that infiltrates the site is returned to the groundwater. This creates a continuous circulation of water resources and reduces environmental impact. In addition, by reusing water, wastewater separation is optimized, the size of water treatment facilities is reduced, and the treatment process is shortened, enabling both a high water recovery rate and low-energy operation.

● A site plan showcasing water treatment facilities and company initiatives

Two facilities, a model plant with water treatment equipment for training purposes, and a work area for water treatment research and development face each other across a public street. The buildings are designed to look like glass “showcases” that are open to the public, welcoming people and communicating the company’s initiatives and environmental values. The exterior is comprised of metal pipes that resemble the piping used in water treatment processes, creating a soft, watery appearance while serving as shading, ventilation, rain gutters, and other functions.

● Environmental Enrichment and Carbon Neutrality via Water

The water reuse system reduces air conditioning energy and improves the living environment.

Energy for air conditioning was reduced by employing two types of radiant air conditioning systems in the living spaces: radiant ceiling panels that use recycled water and dehumidifying radiant louver walls. Ceiling heights differ in each area, and radiant louvers are placed in the atrium space. This creates moderate fluctuations in room temperatures, improving the living environment and creating a more selective office environment.

The biophilic design, with abundant interior and exterior flora, and the use of groundwater for sprinkling plants was also incorporated to create a facility with a sense for water and greenery.

While water depletion and security are becoming global issues, in Japan, high levels of water consumption, difficulty of infrastructure renewal, and marine pollution due to the combined sewage system are seen as problems to be addressed. We expect that this ZWB will be the first step toward architectural solutions to these water issues.

Project name: Kurita Innovation Hub Technology Innovation Center (TIC) & Technical Education Center (TEC)

Purpose: Research institute (TIC) and office (TEC)

Location: Akishima City, Tokyo, Japan

Site area: 30,381.37㎡ [ 21,844.76㎡（TIC）& 8,536.61㎡（TEC）]

Total floor area: 37,967.96㎡ [ 29,269.42㎡（TIC）& 8,698.54㎡（TEC）]

Number of floors: 5 above ground, 2 penthouse levels (TIC), 3 above ground (TEC)

Eave Height/Height of Highest Section:n22.34m/32.99m（TIC）& 16.27m/17.67m（TEC）

Main Structure: Steel framed reinforced concrete, steel

Credits:

Client: Kurita Water Industries Ltd.

Lead architect: Nikken Sekkei Ltd

Main scope: Concept design, schematic design, design development, site supervision

JV, joint design, supervision, consulting, etc: Nikken Space Design Ltd (interior, FFE）

Construction Company: Taisei Corporation

Photo credit: Takuya Seki

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