INSIGHTS

2025.07.11

MEP Engineering talk. Environment and equipment idea notes Vol. 21

Facilities that support trust and creativity (Electrical Equipment, Part 2)
Electrical equipment sprinkled with beauty and playfulness

Nikon Corporation Global Headquarters/Innovation Center

MEP Engineering designers talk. Environment and Equipment Idea Note TOP

Continuing from last time, we will introduce the facilities-related initiatives at Nikon's Head Office/Innovation Center. This is the second part of our look at electrical equipment.

"Nikon Light" realized in conjunction with architectural planning

A particular focus within the interior was on fusing the various ceiling shapes and specifications, which differ from area to area, with the architectural design and lighting plan.
A distinctive feature is the exposed PC floor ceiling in the office. By seamlessly installing a thin, sharp 25mm-wide LED line lighting fixture in the slit at the top of the gently arched cross section, the "Nikon light" line is expressed even inside the building, and the design of the PC floor is further accentuated. The average illuminance above the desks is 500lx, ensuring sufficient functionality, and by brightly illuminating the arched ceiling itself, a space with a "sense of brightness" that exceeds the illuminance achieved.
In addition, the opening was enlarged by raising the edge of the PC floor slab on the window side into a boat shape. Soft reflected light from the light shelves is brought into the building, creating a highly productive and comfortable lighting environment where natural light and artificial lighting are in harmony. The large-scale use of daylight, which is rare in an office, also contributes to energy savings.

Left: The perimeter zone of the office. The edge of the PC floor facing the window is made into an inverted beam, allowing it to rise up like a boat. This was made possible through cooperation from various fields, including design, structure, and equipment.
Right: View of the office interior. Even in places far from the windows, you can feel the light coming in from outside.

We paid particular attention to the appearance of the PC deck from the design stage, and I have fond memories of creating a life-size model and having the design team check and exchange opinions on every detail, such as the exposed range of the light-emitting parts of the lighting fixtures, the aesthetic appearance, and the width of the slits.

A full-scale model of the arched PC floor ceiling was created, and the design team checked the lighting conditions. In order to recreate the "high-ceilinged office" of this building, the model was set up vertically and everyone lay down on the floor to check it. The specifications were decided while also getting feedback from employees passing by.

Light design that creates a welcoming space

The entrance hall, which is the face of the building, features a variety of spatial effects using light, such as random lighting that resembles a starry sky and a light wall that delicately creates the shadows of terracotta tiles with a prism motif.

The entrance hall ceiling is made to sparkle like a starry sky, and the illuminated wall creates the shadows of the terracotta tiles. Two rows of linear lights are installed at the top of the illuminated wall, with each light adjusted to its own angle.

The ceiling of the elevator hall is fitted with triaxial woven louvers reminiscent of overlapping lace curtains. Linear lighting is installed between the louvers, and the soft light that seeps through the fabric creates a lighting environment that blends with the moiré (interference fringe) phenomenon.
If you look up, you'll see the word "NIKON" hidden within, adding a playful touch!

Elevator hall ceiling lighting (left). The triaxial fabric louvers are woven with threads in three directions, resulting in large gaps and high transparency. The intertwining of the weave creates a moiré effect.

Electrical equipment initiatives to generate electricity and generate electricity

A distinctive feature of this building is the communication areas, such as lounges and kitchens, located between the offices. Various glass and ceramic pendant lighting is used. While it allows for the creation of a completely different space from the offices, it also poses challenges. Measures such as vibration prevention devices had to be taken to prevent fixtures from colliding with each other due to earthquake shaking.

However, because the vibration stoppers can also spoil the aesthetic look, we had many meetings with the designers and the contractors to consider the best installation method for each type of lighting in each space. There were unexpected issues that arose because this is a small-scale facility located closer to people, such as interference with furniture and the shadows of the lighting itself being visible, and this was actually one of the things that was difficult to adjust at the construction stage.

The pendant lighting was installed with anti-vibration measures in place for air conditioning and earthquakes to create a beautiful space.

Lastly, we will introduce the atrium that uses the large staircase in the entrance hall connecting the first and second floors, and the large LED vision that adds color to it. The step in the middle of the staircase is at a height that people can sit on. By partitioning off the surrounding area with shutters or blackout curtains, it can be transformed into an event venue. There are outlets at the base of the stairs, so you can easily charge your PC and other devices. The photo below shows it actually being used as an event venue. We were very pleased to see that it is being used in the way that the various designers involved in this building, including the design and structure, as well as us electrical MEP Engineering, had aimed for.

Taking advantage of the difference in elevation of the site, we created an atrium with a large staircase in the entrance hall.
Back to Part 1

MEP Engineering Speak: Environment and Facility Idea Note Vol.17

Equipment that supports trust and creativity (machinery)
Air conditioning that creates flexible offices

Nikon Corporation Global Headquarters/Innovation Center

Designer's Voice

Designer

Electrical MEP Engineering Department / Joined in 2012

Eri Nagahama

Eri Nagahama

In this project, we were in charge of the entire process from the competition to the design and on-site Construction Supervision, and we felt like we were raising a child when we reached completion. Although we encountered some unexpected problems, especially during the construction stage, we are proud to have completed a wonderful building that incorporated a variety of initiatives and ingenuity.
Through this project, I learned a lot as a designer and Construction Supervision. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Nikon, who accepted and understood our design ideas, the contractors who cooperated, and all the other companies involved. I hope to see this building continue to grow and adapt to changes in work styles and usage.

A drone-shot video of the office tour has also been released.
Please take a look!

*Affiliation at the time of project assignment

Watch the drone video (Nikon Group Facebook page)

Data

Property Name

Nikon Corporation Global Headquarters/Innovation Center
Year of completion

2024
Site Location

1-5 Nishioi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
Site area

18,063.61㎡
Total floor area

42,423.98㎡
Scale

6 floors above ground, 1 floor in the penthouse
structure

Steel, partly reinforced concrete

OTHER COLUMNS

MEP Engineering Speak: Environment and Equipment Idea Note Vol.23

district heating and cooling initiatives supporting Osaka's gateway

district heating and cooling (DHC) system in the area around Osaka Station

MEP Engineering Speak: Environment and Equipment Idea Note Vol.22

Pavilion facility planning that realizes "short circulation"

EXPO 2025 OSAKA, KANSAI, JAPAN Mitsubishi Pavilion

MEP Engineering Speak: Environment and Facility Idea Note Vol.21

Facilities that support trust and creativity (Electrical Equipment, Part 2)
Electrical equipment sprinkled with beauty and playfulness

Nikon Corporation Global Headquarters/Innovation Center

MEP Engineering Speak: Environment and Facility Idea Note Vol.20

Facilities that support trust and creativity (Electrical section, Part 1)
Creating a head office building that is comfortable, safe and secure

Nikon Corporation Global Headquarters/Innovation Center

MEP Engineering Speak: Environment and Facility Idea Note Vol.19

Taking on the challenge in a medium-sized office building
Balancing wellness and energy conservation (Part 2)

Front Place Chiyoda-Ichibancho

MEP Engineering Speak: Environment and Facility Idea Note Vol.18

Taking on the challenge in a medium-sized office building
Balancing wellness and energy conservation (Part 1)

Front Place Chiyoda-Ichibancho

MEP Engineering Speak: Environment and Facility Idea Note Vol.17

Equipment that supports trust and creativity (machinery)
Air conditioning that creates flexible offices

Nikon Corporation Global Headquarters/Innovation Center

MEP Engineering Speak: Environment and Facility Idea Note Vol.16

Realizing an "Open Kitchen Classroom"
Air conditioning approach

Tsuji Culinary Institute Tokyo

MEP Engineering Speak: Environment and Facility Idea Note Vol.15

Ideas for creating a comfortable space that harmonizes with wood

Kumamoto Tokio Marine & Nichido Building

MEP Engineering Speak: Environment and Facility Idea Note Vol.14

Facilities planning to overcome the "hurdles of wooden construction" for a new era

The Royal Park Canvas Sapporo Odori Park

MEP Engineering Speak: Environment and Facility Idea Note Vol.13

Moving away from simple replacement: How to approach ZEB Renovation (Part 2)

Renovating existing stock to become ZEB

MEP Engineering speaks. Environment and equipment idea notebook No.12

Moving away from simple replacement: How to approach ZEB Renovation (Part 1)

Renovating existing stock to become ZEB

MEP Engineering Speak: Environment and Facility Idea Note Vol.11

Creating a comfortable "air" environment with renewable energy

Takasago Thermal Engineering Innovation Center

MEP Engineering Speak: Environment and Facility Idea Note Vol.10

Delivering light, wind, and temperature to the entire space

SEITOKU Kindergarten

MEP Engineering Speak: Environment and Facility Idea Note Vol.09

Lighting design creates an energy-efficient and iconic reading space

MUFG PARK Library

MEP Engineering Speak: Environment and Facility Idea Note Vol.08

Electrical work expands from lighting to data utilization and security

FUKAYA-HANAZONO Premium Outlets®

MEP Engineering Speak: Environment and Facility Idea Note Vol.07

Initiatives based on the "facilities" that support the city

Otemachi Center & Otemachi One Sub-Plant / DHC plant relocation due to redevelopment

MEP Engineering Speak: Environment and Facility Idea Note Vol.06

Contributing to the BCP of the entire town through "water independence"

Otemachi Financial City Grand Cube

MEP Engineering Speak: Environment and Facility Idea Note Vol.05

Creating a more comfortable, smarter, greener office

Kayabacho Green Building

MEP Engineering Speak: Environment and Facility Idea Note Vol.04

Delivering energy-saving air by "crawling" along the ceiling

Shinryo Shinjyo Building

MEP Engineering talk. Environment and facility idea notes Vol.03

Paving the way for radiant air conditioning using natural energy

Shinryo Shinjyo Building

MEP Engineering Speak: Environment and Facility Idea Note Vol.02

Lighting designs born from a variety of thoughts and environments

Shinryo Shinjyo Building
Full view perspective

MEP Engineering Speak: Environment and Facility Idea Note Vol.01

Even skyscrapers are ZEB Ready

(Tentative name) Uchikanda 1-chome Project
MEP Engineering designers talk. Environment and equipment idea notebook

Update : 2025.07.11

Tags

PAGE TOP