Tokyo Tatemono showcases hybrid timber construction

Tokyo Tatemono announced on March 2nd the completion of its first timber infused hybrid rental apartment building, Brillia ist Senzokuike no Mori.

The five-story, 42 unit building in Tokyo’s Ota ward is a four-minute walk from Ishikawadai Station and a five-minute walk from Senzokuike Station on the Tokyu Ikegami Line.

Exterior photo courtesy of Tokyo Tatemono press release.

The site spans 1,117.94 square meters and was developed using Mitsui Home’s “Mokusion” hybrid timber construction method.  Moku refers to wood-frame construction and ~sion refers to “Mansion”, the Japanese word for condo living which has an underlying meaning of reinforced concrete construction.

The structure employs a wood-frame wall construction method with partial reinforced concrete elements. The total floor area is 2,073.74 square meters with units ranging from 28.26 to 50.14 square meters and layouts consisting of 1DK and 2LDK configurations.

The project forms part of Tokyo Tatemono’s broader push toward decarbonization and a circular economy. In addition to incorporating timber into the primary structural components, the company has extensively used natural wood in common areas and selected private units.

Structural timber accounts for 491.96 cubic meters, while finishing materials total 11.06 cubic meters, bringing total timber usage to 503.02 cubic meters.

The building achieves earthquake resistance, fire resistance, and durability performance equivalent to reinforced concrete construction.

Compared with a similarly sized reinforced concrete building, the company estimates carbon dioxide emissions were reduced by approximately 309 metric tons from material production through construction. Carbon sequestration is calculated at 538 ton - equivalent to roughly 1,769 Japanese cedar trees aged 36 to 40 years.

Main entrance lobby photo courtesy of Tokyo Tatemono press release.

Beyond its structural frame, the development is distinguished by its extensive interior wood detailing. In the common areas, natural wood is used for wall and ceiling finishes in the entrance hall and lounge, as well as for floor-number signage in front of the elevators. A wood-based art installation greets residents directly opposite the main entrance.

Sample interior photo courtesy of Tokyo Tatemono press release.

Residential units are divided into standard units and designated “wood-finished units.” The latter, located on the first and third floors, feature ash wood wall and ceiling finishes, walnut veneer flooring, and natural wood materials for kitchen and vanity cabinetry, doors, and soffits. Standard units also emphasize a wood aesthetic through wood-grain sheet flooring and wood-patterned wall coverings.

Monthly rents for standard units range from ¥156,000 to ¥163,000 for 1DK units (28 square meters), ¥178,000 to ¥185,000 for 1LDK units (30–40 square meters), and ¥220,000 to ¥256,000 for 2LDK units (40–50 square meters).

Wood-finished units command a premium of ¥3,000 to ¥7,000 per month.

Applications opened on February 27th, and approximately 10 percent of units have received inquiries, with about half of those submitting leasing applications for wood-finished units.  

Construction costs were not disclosed, though the company indicated they were “slightly higher” than those for a reinforced concrete building of comparable scale.

“While there are no immediate plans to develop another wooden rental apartment building, we will evaluate future projects based on business feasibility,” said Ryosuke Sasaki, Senior Manager of the Residential Leasing Division at Tokyo Tatemono at a press event held on March 2nd.

Source:

R.E. Port News (Japanese only)