Aida Sekkei Precut: A Symphony of Timber and Technology

Revolutionizing Factory Aesthetics with Nobuaki Miyashita's Design

The Aida Sekkei Precut factory, conceived by Nobuaki Miyashita, stands as a testament to the harmonious blend of form and function. Inspired by the precision and speed of pre-cut timber fabrication, Miyashita sought to encapsulate the factory's dynamic spirit within its architecture. The result is a striking facade that features a massive timber projection, symbolizing the core of the factory's operations and hinting at the company's trajectory into the future.

Distinctive in its design, the factory boasts a 100-meter-long viewing aisle, enveloped by a wooden shell with a random stripe pattern that cantilevers, creating the illusion of floating from the factory wall. This architectural choice not only serves as a visual metaphor for Aida Sekkei's progressive ethos but also invites onlookers to envision the brand's evolution.

Technological innovation is at the heart of the factory's construction, particularly in the office area, which presents itself as the plant's façade. Utilizing a scissor truss built from smaller cross-section members, the design achieves expansive space without compromising structural integrity. Japanese cypress pillars and cedar boards are intricately placed to form load-bearing walls, showcasing the potential of wood as a primary construction material.

With a site area exceeding 40,000 square meters and a total floor area of over 15,000 square meters, the Aida Sekkei Precut factory is a marvel of modern wooden architecture. The office building spans two floors, with the factory building itself encompassing an impressive first-floor area for timber processing. The design's specifications are a clear reflection of the brand's commitment to innovation and sustainability.

Functionality merges with aesthetic appeal in this new timber processing plant. The design facilitates an immersive factory tour experience, allowing visitors to witness the pre-cutting process up close within the glass-enclosed walkway. The office building's trusses, crafted from feather edge materials, exemplify the innovative use of traditional wooden house sub-materials in creating large, open spaces.

The Aida Sekkei Precut project, completed in September 2020 and located in the resource-rich Bando City near Tokyo, stands as a beacon of architectural and operational excellence. It is a culmination of research aimed at cost-effective large-span wooden structures, overcoming challenges through the inventive use of small-section studs to form trusses. This pioneering approach has set a new precedent in Japanese wooden construction. The design's recognition with the Golden A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2024 further cements its status as a groundbreaking achievement in the field.