Yodoyabashi Mitsui Building
When developing the Yodoyabashi Mitsui Building (Chuo Ward, Osaka City; completed in March 2008), eco-friendly designs were incorporated in pursuit of realizing an environmentally friendly building throughout its lifecycle. Such eco-friendly efforts include energy conservation, reduction of CO2 emissions, efficient use of water, reduction of impact from hazardous materials, resource saving, extended life of buildings and preservation of greenery.
A rainwater reservoir (about 200m3) installed underground enables the use of rainwater for watering plants and flushing toilets.
Specific CFCs are not used as refrigerants for air conditioners or heat insulating materials.
- Low-e double-glazed glass, window roofs and blinds enable superior heat insulation and heat shielding performance in spaces near windows.
- Outdoor air cooling that uses outside air for air conditioning and natural ventilation are used in periods between seasons.
- Automatic light control systems to adjust brightness with sensors that detect luminance are employed in office buildings. Installation of inverters also reduces power consumption.
- Lighting fixtures with motion detection sensors are installed in hallways, and an automatic lights out system is linked with the security system in security areas.
- Air conditioners in attended zones can be adjusted by individuals' personal computers and the power source (ON/OFF) and temperature can be adjusted in each zone.
- The roof of the deck on the second floor on the south and exterior wall are equipped with glass with thin-model solar cells and LED lights. Electricity is generated using sunlight during the day to be used as a partial source of commercial power for the building. It is used as power-saving LED light at night.
- Use of air conditioners with variable flow/variable water volume control systems and massive temperature variation air blast/water conveyance systems aim to reduce conveyance energy.
Low-e double-glazed glass, window roofs and blinds
Outside air inlet
Automatic light control system with sensor
Motion detection sensor installed in hallway
Deck on the 2nd floor on the south
Glass roof to enable photovoltaic generation
Grid ceiling
- Structure with superior resistance to earthquakes and wind and improved durability is employed.
- The level of movable load on the floor is set higher than the standard value at the design stage. In addition, leeway is secured to respond to future changes in function, as seen in the employment of external shafts that enable easy replacement of plumbing and ducts (technical slits).
- Unification of key dimensional standards of elements, etc. enables reduction of mill ends and partial replacement, which leads to conservation of resources.
- The number of pillars in office rooms is lowered to secure the ceiling height of 2.8m. In addition, adoption of a grid ceiling system enables flexible response to various changes in layout. Grid ceilings are made of 600mm-square embedded ceiling boards. Moving these ceiling boards allows the position of lighting fixtures and air conditioner outlets to be changed, which can lead to energy saving. Furthermore, in the case of damages, etc., damaged parts alone can be replaced, which also leads to resource saving and reduction of waste materials.
Rooftop garden
- The roof the low-rise building has planted trees that function as a rooftop garden (exclusive garden) covering about 200m2.
Increased greenery in surrounding area
- Trees are planted along the streets in the surrounding area.
