Project Name: MARUWA Seto Factory

Location: Seto City, Japan

Design Team: Gensler

Project Area: 7,054㎡

Completion Date: May 2023

Photography: Kenta Hasegawa, Fumihito Suzuki

Feature：

Project - In a groundbreaking fusion of industrial heritage and contemporary design, MARUWA's new Seto Factory emerges as a transformative architectural statement in Aichi, Japan. Conceived by Gensler in collaboration with Takenaka Corporation, this manufacturing facility transcends the conventional industrial typology to become a powerful symbol of technological innovation and community integration.

The factory's most distinctive feature is its compelling "BRIDGE" concept, which manifests both literally and metaphorically throughout the design. A dynamic horizontal roof plane stretches across the landscape, creating a striking visual connection between the facility's dual production zones. This architectural gesture not only serves as a powerful aesthetic statement but cleverly harnesses natural ventilation through its east-west orientation, capturing prevailing winds from the north and south.

At the heart of the facility, a light-filled atrium serves as more than just a connecting space – it's a deliberate intervention in traditional factory design that prioritizes human experience. This central void introduces abundant natural light and promotes spontaneous interaction among employees, while an intelligent automated ventilation system responds to external conditions to maintain optimal comfort.

Perhaps most remarkably, the project transforms what was once an illegal dumping site into a valuable community asset. The landscaping draws inspiration from Seto's celebrated ceramic heritage, incorporating a sophisticated water feature that doubles as a retention pond. This multifunctional element not only creates an engaging public plaza but also serves as an innovative cooling mechanism for the building's ventilation system.

The facility's commitment to environmental integration extends to its sophisticated "Rainwater Scape" system, which visualizes water management through a dynamic landscape that transforms with rainfall patterns. This approach exemplifies how industrial architecture can transcend pure functionality to become both a high-performance facility and a meaningful contribution to its context.

Through its thoughtful synthesis of advanced manufacturing requirements, employee wellbeing, and community engagement, MARUWA's Seto Factory establishes a new paradigm for industrial architecture – one that proves manufacturing facilities can be simultaneously efficient, environmentally conscious, and architecturally significant.

Design Team - Gensler, the world's largest architectural design firm by revenue and workforce, stands at the forefront of global architectural innovation since its founding in 1965 by Art Gensler, Drue Gensler, and James Follett in San Francisco. Under the current leadership of Global Co-Chairs Andy Cohen and Diane Hoskins, alongside Co-CEOs Jordan Goldstein and Elizabeth Brink, the practice has evolved from its origins in corporate interiors to become an architectural powerhouse, shaping the built environment across 53 cities in 17 countries.

With an impressive portfolio generating $1.84 billion in revenue (2023), Gensler's practice exemplifies the synthesis of design excellence and operational scale. The firm's multidisciplinary approach encompasses architecture, interior design, urban strategies, brand design, and digital experience design, leveraging these disciplines to create transformative environments across diverse typologies.

Their commitment to research-driven design is evidenced through initiatives like the Gensler Research Institute and the Workplace Performance Index (WPI), which continuously inform their design methodology. The practice's dedication to sustainability is manifested in the Gensler Cities Climate Challenge (GC3) and their pioneering Product Sustainability Standards, demonstrating leadership in addressing climate change through architectural innovation.

Notable projects like the Shanghai Tower and SFO Airport terminals showcase Gensler's capacity to execute complex, large-scale developments while maintaining design integrity and environmental responsibility. This balance of creative vision, technical expertise, and sustainable practice positions Gensler as a definitive force in shaping contemporary architectural discourse and practice.