The KANEKA Health Center serves as both a welfare and medical facility for Kaneka Corporation. Embracing the corporate philosophy of “health first,” Kaneka prioritizes reforming employee work practices and promoting healthcare. This center offers medical services and regular health checkups for Kaneka employees while hosting various activities aimed at boosting health awareness. The project was designed under the guidance of Kengo Kuma Architectural Urban Design Firm, with Dacheng Construction implementing the plan and integrating environmental technologies developed by Kaneka.
The site is situated in a sparse thicket adjacent to Kaneka’s production base. The design intent was to create a building enveloped by greenery, preserving as many existing trees as possible. Using 3D scanning, the team mapped the trees to decide which to keep. Primarily, invasive species were removed to protect native flora. A distinctive polyhedral roof extends from the ground, covering the building and blending it seamlessly into the forest environment.
The polyhedral roof incorporates various environmental technologies, including tile-integrated solar cells, transparent solar panels, and green roofing. Different sides of the roof feature distinct eco-friendly elements, showcasing multiple expressions. The building employs several Kaneka-developed environmental innovations such as wooden exterior insulation and a dual ventilation system originally designed for detached houses. This system dynamically adjusts airflow paths based on outdoor temperature to optimize comfort and efficiency.
Additionally, deep eaves and high-performance insulation contribute to achieving Net Zero Energy Building (Net ZEB) standards, ensuring the facility maintains a zero energy balance. Upon completion, the center will host activities such as cooking classes and sports events to promote employee health awareness. It also provides a relaxing space for staff to recover from fatigue. The design earned IWBI’s WELL Platinum certification, recognizing its health-focused features, including extensive use of indoor wood materials and abundant green views through large windows.
Project Drawings
△ General Layout Plan
△ First Floor Plan
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Section Diagram
△ Structural Schematic Diagram
△ Hand-Drawn Sketch
Project Information
Architects: Kengo Kuma Architecture Urban Design Firm, Dacheng Construction
Area: 625 m²
Project Year: 2021
Photographer: Norihito Yamauchi
Manufacturer: T-Green
Design Team (Kengo Kuma, Takashi Taguchi): Kengo Kuma, Takashi Taguchi
Design Team (Dacheng Construction): Hiroyuki Hirai, Keisuke Okazaki
Structural Engineers (Dacheng Construction): Shinya Nishimoto, Yumi Sakaguchi, Kayo Yasuda
MEP Engineers (Dacheng Construction): Takashi Yuasa, Naoya Ando, Hisashi Kitani
Owner: KANEKA Corporation
Contractor: Dacheng Construction Co., Ltd.
Location: Takasago, Japan
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