Shimizu Corporation: Future Design of Fire-Resistant Technology

A project undertaken jointly with the Fire and Heat Resistance Group at Shimizu Corporation's Institute of Technology, redefining the technology with a view toward 2050. Until now, fire-resistant technology has mainly played a functional, hardware-oriented role: protecting buildings from fire. But as the global environment and the shape of cities change dramatically, the role this technology plays needs to expand. This project explored, from multiple angles, how fire-resistant technology could contribute to future social challenges — from promoting the safe use of timber toward a decarbonized society, to securing the resilience of a growing number of aging buildings. It envisions a paradigm shift: from technology that merely limits damage, to technology that actively builds a richer future environment.