Green Building Forum - Building in Japan 2 Sun, 03 May 2026 09:54:08 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 Building in Japan 2 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18329&Focus=308986#Comment_308986 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18329&Focus=308986#Comment_308986 Tue, 12 Aug 2025 16:33:28 +0100 Rex
I posted an earlier thread entitled Building in Japan, illustrated with some beautiful structural timber frame photos.

Well, here is another that I find amazing and disappointing that it is not available here in the UK.

In Japan, most building sites for houses and flats is tight with little space between neighbouring houses. So when scaffolding is needed, space is at a premium.

I saw this site, the scaffolding footprint is probably about 1 meter but it cantilevers out higher up to provide the working area. More importantly, no bolts or scaffolding clips. Everything just slots and clips together like a tubular Lego kit.]]> Building in Japan 2 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18329&Focus=308987#Comment_308987 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18329&Focus=308987#Comment_308987 Tue, 12 Aug 2025 21:14:26 +0100 Bryan_Rendall Building in Japan 2 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18329&Focus=309035#Comment_309035 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18329&Focus=309035#Comment_309035 Sun, 17 Aug 2025 15:32:47 +0100 Jonti Building in Japan 2 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18329&Focus=309041#Comment_309041 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18329&Focus=309041#Comment_309041 Mon, 18 Aug 2025 17:32:30 +0100 Rex
Thanks for the info]]> Building in Japan 2 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18329&Focus=309068#Comment_309068 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18329&Focus=309068#Comment_309068 Thu, 21 Aug 2025 07:47:53 +0100 revor The cost has not been declared but i would guess around several million £. The reason for the scaffold is that the flat roof covering has lifted in the wind and needs repair. Due to the structure of the building it is not possible to anchor the scaffold to it, so this vast scaffold structure has had to be erected to allow work on the roof. The side with the subject in the picture is merely for supporting the barrier to stop falls the other elevation is working side. The scaffold is weighted down with about 50 1000 kg builders’ bags of slate chippings. Never believed flat roofs were a good idea in the UK.]]> Building in Japan 2 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18329&Focus=309069#Comment_309069 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18329&Focus=309069#Comment_309069 Thu, 21 Aug 2025 07:49:31 +0100 revor Building in Japan 2 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18329&Focus=309073#Comment_309073 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18329&Focus=309073#Comment_309073 Thu, 21 Aug 2025 10:21:20 +0100 djh Building in Japan 2 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18329&Focus=309076#Comment_309076 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18329&Focus=309076#Comment_309076 Thu, 21 Aug 2025 14:51:42 +0100 WillInAberdeen Building in Japan 2 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18329&Focus=309077#Comment_309077 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18329&Focus=309077#Comment_309077 Thu, 21 Aug 2025 18:03:29 +0100 revor Posted By: djhWhat scaffolding did they use when the building was originally built?
I do not know I did not see it go up. Looking at the sections of the building they could have been built off site craned into position and bolted together from cherry pickers but that is guess.


Posted By: WillInAberdeenThe CDM regs are supposed to make that kind of bad design illegal. The designer and building owners both have specific duties to make sure the building can be constructed maintained and repaired safely. Risks should be addressed at the design stage rather than leaving it to the site team to put retrospective protections in place. In this case there should have been a permanent guardrail on the roof edge, or demountable sockets that a guardrail can be fitted to.


Very good point. I suppose the scaffolding erected is making access safe but at one heck of a cost. I watched the scaffolding go up about 3 weeks ago and gleamed the information from a scaffolder who seemd pleased that I was showing interest in what their challenges were. The winter storms ripped off the roofing material (don't know what it is made of) and they found out when water started to come in.]]> Building in Japan 2 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18329&Focus=309078#Comment_309078 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18329&Focus=309078#Comment_309078 Thu, 21 Aug 2025 20:29:58 +0100 djh ]]> Building in Japan 2 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18329&Focus=309083#Comment_309083 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18329&Focus=309083#Comment_309083 Fri, 22 Aug 2025 07:51:00 +0100 revor Posted By: djhI wonder who's paying for the scaffold and whether it's whoever's insurance company?https:///newforum/extensions/Vanillacons/smilies/standard/devil.gif" alt=":devil:" title=":devil:" >

Yes I have wondered as well. Might get to know at some point. I visit the place almost weekly so may get more info. I tried finding some construction photos on the web that might give clues on how the facade was errected, but to no avail. Only found a general photo of a rectangular steel frame with conventional scaffold.]]> Building in Japan 2 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18329&Focus=309084#Comment_309084 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18329&Focus=309084#Comment_309084 Fri, 22 Aug 2025 10:26:03 +0100 djh
Where is the building BTW, if it's not a state secret?]]> Building in Japan 2 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18329&Focus=309085#Comment_309085 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18329&Focus=309085#Comment_309085 Sat, 23 Aug 2025 08:00:33 +0100 revor Posted By: djhJust looking at the pictures again, I think you said all that scaffolding was to prevent a dangerous fall off the roof. I wonder if it was possible to achieve that by the use of harnesses instead?

Where is the building BTW, if it's not a state secret?

It is In Anglesey part of Bangor University. It is quite a striking building, as previously mentioned it is there to promote enterprise and provides facilities to companies. Quite a number are now based there. Think the facilities are fully occupied or if not close to being.
Here is a link to their website.

https://m-sparc.com/

It is a shame that they have this roofing problem it is not surprising the weather affected it, it is in an extremely windy spot.

An extension is planned, work to start soon I think. Possibly may be delayed due to the repair work going on.
It is something that is sorely needed for the area we have lost a lot of big and medium sized businesses in the last decade. Last time I checked we have the lowest GDP in Wales and we are second lowest in the UK. Rely a lot on tourism which is under threat from various government policies w.r.t 2nd homes and council tax that will show through in due course no doubt.

Not sure that safety harnesses would be a good solution they can be cumbersome and get in the way. Think provision of a safe working environment trumps safety harnesses which are a last resort I would argue.]]>