YKK AP Publishes Video Content Showcasing the YKK Group’s "Thinking Architecture" on Its Website

PASSIVETOWN: Thinking Architecture for a Sustainable Society
https://www.ykkapglobal.com/en/technologies/thinking-architecture/passivetown/
PASSIVETOWN aims to maximize the use of Kurobe’s natural energy resources, creating a sustainable community that offers comfort without excessive dependence on energy consumption. Here we introduce the "Tampopo" Nursery (Block No.4), which utilizes locally sourced timber, and the Hokuriku region’s first mass timber mid-rise residential  (Block No.5), which aims to achieve year-round energy self-sufficiency by converting solar power into hydrogen for storage.

The YKK AP Technology Museum: Thinking Architecture Combining Old and New
https://www.ykkapglobal.com/en/technologies/thinking-architecture/technology-museum/
Realized by renovating a factory originally completed in 1959, the YKK AP Technology Museum is a facility that vividly embodies the fusion of old and new in architecture. This dynamic space, where the strength of the old structure merges with modern environmental technology that captures natural light, symbolizes YKK AP’s commitment to connecting the legacy of past technology with the creation of future value.

The YKK AP 30 Building: Thinking Architecture for Wellbeing
https://www.ykkapglobal.com/en/technologies/thinking-architecture/30-building/
The YKK AP 30 Building, designed around the concept of an "office in a forest," incorporates features that contribute to the health and well-being of all those who work there. The exterior employs a curtain wall made from 100% recycled aluminum, achieving both high environmental performance and aesthetic design. These architectural innovations create a space where you can feel the gentle rhythm of nature.

I-TOWN: Thinking Architecture Building Vibrancy with Communities
https://www.ykkapglobal.com/en/technologies/thinking-architecture/i-town/
I-TOWN is an architectural project conceived not just as employee housing, but as a neighborhood designed to coexist with the surrounding community. The buildings are arranged in a clustered layout to harmonize with the surrounding low-rise residential neighborhood. By opening up the extensive gardens and large roofed arcades connecting the buildings to local residents as thoroughfares and places to relax, the project embodies a vision for future architecture that seamlessly integrates into the local community.

The YKK AP M&E Center: Thinking Architecture for Coexistence Between People and Technology
https://www.ykkapglobal.com/en/technologies/thinking-architecture/m-and-e-center/
The YKK AP M&E Center, which embraces the concept of "harmony between humans and technology," treats structural elements and fixtures, which are typically concealed, as functional beauty, actively integrating them into the spatial design. The 45-meter-span glass roof and exposed joints, of which even the smallest details are visible, showcase the inherent beauty of advanced technology.

Maezawa Garden House: Thinking Architecture for Communities
https://www.ykkapglobal.com/en/technologies/thinking-architecture/maezawa-garden-house/
Maezawa Garden House was envisioned as a "big house" where people from around the world come together, serving as a community hub that connects employees and the local area. The grand staircase in the hall symbolizes traditional elements like an earthen entryway, while the warm space featuring shoji panels and wood encourages interaction between people. Furthermore, in accordance with the philosophy of YKK founder Tadao Yoshida, it also serves as a venue for community-based cultural activities. These include opening the OKAEN garden to the public and hosting international theater festivals.