Japan Post Office

As part of the refurbishment of Tokyo’s historic main post office, a 200 m high skyscraper has been built. It appears to rise partly from the old building. Part of the project are extensive special structures, which include a 39 m wide triangular skylight over the atrium and a canopy over the main entrance. These special structures also include various facade screens on the north and west facades.

56th BCS Award of the Japanese Building Contractors Society

The 31 m high and 61 m wide screen on the north facade is particularly demanding. It is characterised by three asymmetrical folding lines and – despite its very high transparency – must withstand tornado-like wind forces of up to 8.5 kN/m² and earthquake-induced accelerations of up to 1.2 times the force of gravity.

The building was awarded the 56th BCS Award by the Japanese Building Contractors Society in 2015. Werner Sobek was responsible for the structural engineering, including the detailed design of the special structures.