RIKEN KEIKI CO.,LTD. INNOVATION CENTER+PRODUCTION CENTER

This architecture is development and production bases for a gas detector manufacturer on the suburbs of Tokyo. This project is part of the consolidation and reorganization of the facilities of RIKEN KEIKI, the pioneer of gas detectors in Japan.　By relocating and consolidating its development and production sites from central Tokyo to the suburbs, the company aims to increase intellectual productivity and speed up the development process. We planned the architecture with a focus on how to adjoin two buildings, how to integrate them, and how to link the development and production departments. In designing the building, we tried to give form to the client's requirements of "creating a presence for RIKEN KEIKI," "creating a work environment that inspires imagination," and "strengthening collaboration between departments and increasing intellectual productivity. The main facades of the two buildings are unified by the same method of integrating different volumes with an L-shaped motif. The linear elements such as slits, fins, and louvers are used to express a sensor-like impression of precision and sophistication. The façade, with its delicate and diverse expressions, is unique and does not look like a production facility at first glance in the industrial area. In addition, by placing the green terraces at the same height of the two buildings, we created a green skyline. The green skyline creates a richness in the industrial landscape. The two buildings are connected by a bridge in order to strengthen collaboration between the development and production departments. In addition to easy access to both sides of the building, the green terrace and the adjacent communication space encourage communication between employees and provide a place to increase intellectual productivity. In this rapidly changing world, an architecture that enables seamless coordination between development and production will become a base for manufacturing that can efficiently and speedily open up the era.