INSIGHTS

2026.09.14

MEP Engineering Speaks: Environmental and Equipment Idea Notebook Vol. 28

Building and equipment plan to realize a "bank open to the community"

Hokkoku Bank Toyama Branch

MEP Engineering talks. Environment and equipment idea notebook TOP

Connecting the community and the bank by layering scenes of commerce.

Aiming to create a bank that feels approachable, this project involved a combination of design, structure, and facilities, incorporating various innovative ideas to realize the concept of a "bank open to the community."

As environmentally conscious design was a requirement from the outset, the building combines passive methods such as improved insulation, sun shading performance, and utilization of natural light with active methods such as the introduction of solar power generation and highly efficient equipment. In this building, in consideration of the surrounding environment, the building's exterior has a zigzag facade, created through a three-step process of "opening, shifting, and closing."

Hokkoku Bank Toyama Branch, based on the concept of "a bank open to the community"

A winding architectural design that balances openness and environmental performance.

According to building regulations, if openings such as glass are installed within a certain range from the property boundary (the range where there is a risk of fire spreading), they must be made of fire-resistant materials (such as wired glass). In this case, there are restrictions on the size of the openings and their thermal insulation performance.

Therefore, we created an open facade by installing full-height openings that are offset from areas at risk of fire spread. Fire protection is ensured by installing fire-resistant wing walls and exterior walls within areas at risk of fire spread. The eaves created by the planar offset of each floor suppress the solar heat load on the south side, and allow natural light to enter from the north and south sides as well.

Elevation diagram of a "zigzag" structure Elevation diagram of a "zigzag" structure
Elevation diagram of a "zigzag" structure

The roof surface was designed with a slope to improve the efficiency of solar power generation, and the plan also allows for the smooth drainage of snowmelt water during winter. Furthermore, the equipment plan takes advantage of the building's structure, such as placing the generator room, which requires high ceilings, in the high-floor space created by the roof slope.

このようなパッシブな手法とアクティブな手法を組み合わせた取り組みによって「Nearly ZEB」を達成しました。

Energy consumption performance
BELS rating label (BEI = 0.2)

Lighting plan to realize "city lights"

In this project, we focused on lighting as a "light for the city" in order to create a facility that is open to the city. Line lighting was installed between the window frames and blinds, and the plan was designed so that a gentle light would spill out even outside of business hours, so that the building would harmonize with the cityscape at night. In particular, on the first floor, in addition to ensuring sufficient illumination in the space under the eaves, the blind surfaces were illuminated to create a soft, lantern-like light, aiming to create a nighttime landscape in which pedestrians can pass through with peace of mind. In addition, lighting was placed in the corners of the second and third floors, expressing the building's openness to multiple directions of the city in the night view.

Nighttime exterior view: Lighting plan that also serves as "city lights"

Indoors, the plan was to ensure sufficient brightness on the staircase using lighting integrated into the handrail. By creating a continuous, linear light pattern horizontally, the intention was to give the space a light, rhythmic feel while also guiding the viewer's gaze.

On the other hand, achieving a finish that conceals the lighting fixtures presented numerous technical challenges. From the design stage, we considered plans to minimize the visibility of the wiring routes. During the on-site Construction Supervision phase, we held numerous meetings with the contractor regarding the placement of the power supply units, taking into account the constraints of the wiring length, to achieve a finish that did not compromise the aesthetics. Furthermore, because the handrail itself was custom-made, although the openings for installing the lighting fixtures had been adjusted in advance, fine-tuning of the dimensions was necessary on-site. We collaborated with the contractor to optimize the finish.

Stair railing lighting designed to blend seamlessly into the design.

A winding facade created by "hidden equipment"

It is common practice to install intake and exhaust vents or louvers on the exterior walls of buildings to allow outside air to be taken in and exhausted for ventilation. However, in this building, in order to create a sense of connection between the interior and exterior, the exterior eaves and interior ceilings were made flat and continuous, unifying the boundary between interior and exterior with a glass surface, and aiming to integrate the ventilation function into the building's facade.

The soffit space created by the sectional shifts of each floor is treated as a chamber box, and the outside air intake is concealed at the junction of the eaves and glass sashes, blending seamlessly into facade. Furthermore, by utilizing the entire soffit as a chamber, duct connections can be made at any desired location, preventing rain, wind, and snow (typical of the Hokuriku region) from blowing in, and enabling a rational plan in terms of the installation of internal equipment.

合わせて、給気は南北面の軒先から取り込み、排気を東面に集約しショートサーキットにも配慮した換気計画としました。この際に、給湯室やトイレなど、臭気の発生する諸室を東側に配置し、執務空間への給気の一部を、これらの諸室を経由して排気する計画とすることで、換気に要するエネルギーを削減する合理的な換気計画としています。

Left image: Eaves chamber box with air intake slits integrated into the design.
Right diagram: Intake and exhaust diagram designed for short circuits.

Construction Supervision services for projects located in remote areas.

To achieve the "integration of architecture, facilities, and lighting" intended during the design phase, close collaboration between the designers and contractors was essential during the construction phase as well.

This project is located in Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture, about two and a half hours away by Shinkansen from our head office in Tokyo where we usually work. Although it is within walking distance of Toyama Station, the challenge was that it was difficult to visit the site on a daily basis. In such cases, communication is mainly done via email and online, which means that it takes time to resolve problems when they arise, and misunderstandings about the details of the project are more likely to occur when communicating through a screen.

Since much of the equipment installation work involves areas that become invisible after completion, such as above ceilings and inside walls, there were limitations to the information that could be shared online. Therefore, during our monthly comprehensive meetings on-site, we prioritized direct dialogue with the contractors to clarify issues that could not be fully shared online and to align mutual understanding. In order to integrate architecture, equipment, and lighting, coordinating the details and construction procedures of each type of work was crucial, and there were many aspects that were difficult to convey through drawings and photographs alone. For this reason, we shared the design intent with stakeholders face-to-face on-site, and proceeded with adjustments while confirming consistency with the plan and construction methods, which led to the creation of a unified space through the collaboration of each type of work.

Furthermore, as the construction progressed into the later stages, the number of equipment-related inspections increased, and the frequency of site visits also rose. Towards the end of the project, various inspections were concentrated, and in busy weeks, I visited the site 3 to 4 times. To efficiently carry out checks within the limited time, I organized the check items in advance and focused on creating a system where I could make on-the-spot decisions and corrective actions with the contractor. I realized the importance of understanding the characteristics of both remote and on-site communication and appropriately combining them to achieve both quality assurance and smooth project progress.

  1. A building that reduces its primary energy consumption by more than 50% through energy conservation measures, and further reduces it by more than 75% including renewable energy generation.
  2. The phenomenon where exhaust air flows into the air intake due to the close proximity of the air intake and exhaust vents.

Designer's Voice

Designer

Electrical MEP Engineering Department / Joined the company in 2022

Toru Aoyagi

Tetsu Aoyagi

This was the first project I was involved in from design to completion since joining the company. I proceeded with the planning while being mindful of harmony with the local streetscape and surrounding environment. After completion, seeing how the building blended naturally into the local landscape gave me a great sense of accomplishment, and it was a valuable experience that deepened my broad knowledge from design to completion. It remains one of my unforgettable memories.
*Affiliation is as of the time of project assignment.

Designer

Mechanical MEP Engineering Department / Joined in 2021

Takamura Atsushi

Atsushi Takamuku

As the main person in charge, I was involved in the entire process from design to completion, and I am very pleased to have experienced the entire building construction process. Thanks to the support of many people, not only within the company, but also from the contractors, builders, and manufacturers, we were able to complete the building and achieve Nearly ZEB (Zero Energy Building) status. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude.
*Affiliation is as of the time of project assignment.

OTHER COLUMNS

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MEP Engineering talk. Environment and equipment idea notebook

Update : 2026.09.14

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