Japanese design firm Nikken Sekkei to demonstrate economically viable and sustainable technologies at Cityscape

The world's top architectural practice and global leader in sustainable technologies, Nikken Sekkei will be presenting a series of selected 'green' designs from its extensive international portfolio at Cityscape Dubai, which opens Tuesday 16 October.

'Due to the increased awareness of the benefits of sustainable development, especially in the Middle East, Cityscape Dubai will provide us with a great opportunity to demonstrate our excellence in green technology,' said, Dr Fadi Jabri, General Manager and Nikken Sekkei's representative in UAE. 'They are no longer just concepts, this technology is not only accessible, it's cost-effective.'

The five projects on show will include Toyota Motor Corporation HQ building, which used the world's largest mirror duct to bring sunlight into an underground café and floor air conditioning pumped through porous carpet tiles. Also on exhibit will be the Jiaikai Amami hospital which utilises a unique solar heat collection and uses well water for cooling. Another initiative at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency offices employs an automatic high-speed dimming control system and mirror ducts to reduce electricity for lighting.

Recognised as the world's largest architectural and engineering practice, with in excess of 2,000 professional staff and income over US$400 million, Nikken Sekkei was the first Japanese architect to exhibit in the Middle East, when it debuted at Cityscape Dubai last year. Following a highly successful showing of its 'Eco Tower' concept, the architectural giant was awarded a number of key regional projects with a combined development cost of US$1.25 billion.

Nikken Sekkei was awarded the contract to design the Burj Al Alam, a 501 metre landmark tower in Business Bay. It will also design the centerpiece of the new Dubai Maritime City as well as securing the contract for the mixed-use Andalusia project in Jeddah.

To highlight their commitment to sustainable development, Nikken Sekkei will also be playing an integral role in leading a consortium of top Japanese companies during two exclusive symposiums. The events, to be held in Abu Dhabi and Dubai on 4th & 5th of November respectively, will present an eco-proposal to leading industry figures in both the public and private sectors.

Branded Cool City the project focuses on transportation and urban development and architecture with a low carbon footprint. The proposed city would reduce energy consumption by up to 56% by using cutting-edge technologies already tried and tested in Japan and available now.

Hamada Akihiko, Senior Executive Officer and head of international design team at Nikken Sekkei, said: 'Due to the lack of natural resources, Japan is widely considered the leader in environmentally-friendly engineering. At Nikken, our technology employs the most advanced techniques aimed at maintaining optimum performance levels in energy consumption and water conservation, with a minimal carbon footprint.'

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