There's no way this new building is going to shake during an earthquake

Written by
Time Out Tokyo Editors
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To say that Japan experiences some seismic activity is a bit of an understatement, and all of us have experienced our fair share of earthquakes, whether you’ve been here for a short period or a lifetime. Especially after 3.11, the list of solutions (well, more ‘ways of trying to deal with nature’, including this very stylish disaster kit) is endless, with earthquake-resistant technology making great strides. One of the latest innovations comes from architect Kengo Kuma, who teamed up with Ejiri Structural Engineers to create Fa-bo, a new office and laboratory for textile manufacturer Komatsu Seiren. What’s so special about this building? It’s tied down with carbon fibre strand rods called CABKOMA.

These rods serve a rather important function: in the event of an earthquake, they will keep the building steady. The rooftop has all kinds of nifty features such as a sustainable ‘grass field’ – it’s actually made from sponge ceramic and utilises waste from the (fabric-)dyeing process. Indeed, the entire building doesn’t only reflect the new philosophy of Kuma, but also the brand image Komatsu Seiren wants to convey. The final building includes office spaces, a laboratory and opportunities for exhibitions and leisure. If only our office looked like this… then again, we have a hard time imagining all buildings being earthquake-proofed like this – that’s a lot of carbon fibre strands.

If you want to check it out for yourself, you’ll have to make the trek towards Ishikawa, and give them a ring in advance. Full details here.

By Kirsty Bouwers
– Image and video via www.komatsuseiren.co.jp/cabkoma/en/

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