Teijin to build world’s first building made of advanced fiber-reinforced wood
11 October 2018The Japanese technology global group, Teijin Limited, is to construct the world’s first building made of advanced fibre-reinforced wood (AFRW), a structural timber product comprising a number of layers of dimensioned timber and high-performance fibres bonded together with structural adhesives. The new building will be constructed in Teijin’s Tokyo Research Center in Hino City, Japan.
The building exploits the warm texture and unique timber composition of AFRW to help create a stress-free environment. It also aims to realise open and comfortable space by avoiding the use of columns, thus maximizing the inflow of natural light.
Construction of the building began in October, with technical support provided by the professional construction firm Maeda Corporation and the Structural Engineering Laboratory of Kochi University. Upon completion, Teijin and Maeda will monitor adhesive stability and the vibration durability of AFRW for a period of seven years.
Teijin will continue to develop AFRW technology following construction of this first building and the initial monitoring phase. The company expects the new technology and materials to be deployed in general construction by around 2020.
