Vibration protection for 255 m tower and road in Tokyo

Loop Road Kanjo project: Getzner decouples building and roadway

17.10.12

Tokyo/Buers. In one of the largest ongoing urban developments in Tokyo, Getzner is providing the vibration solution for two projects: a hotel situated in the top floors of a 255 m high tower, and a four-lane roadway that runs directly underneath.

A brand new mixed-use urban development is currently taking shape in the heart of Tokyo on a site extending over roughly 6000 m². At the heart of the site is a 255 m high tower – K2 in Loop Road Kanjo No.2 – that will shortly become the tallest building in Tokyo. Getzner has been tasked with providing the vibration solution for two important subprojects: "One the one hand we are responsible for the bedding and vibrational decoupling of the hotel that occupies the upper floors of the tower. On the other, we are for the very first time providing the elastic bedding for a roadway – a four-lane main road that runs directly beneath the building complex. We have just started this part of the job", explains Winfried Ries, head of Getzner's Japanese subsidiary. To protect the building from vibration, Sylomer® mats developed and produced by Getzner are being used as the bedding material. The outcome of the two subprojects will be to deliver the highest levels of living and working standards by reducing vibration and noise. Construction supervision during the entire installation process is also being carried out by the Austrian vibration isolation specialist.

New standards in urban development

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government selected Japanese construction company Mori Building as a partner for this major public-private sector project. Mori in turn engaged Getzner as its specialist partner for vibration isolation and protection. "Loop Road (Kanjo) No.2 is an outstanding and trendsetting project in the heart of Tokyo – an enormous building project that will revitalise this part of the city, alleviate traffic congestion in the centre and significantly enhance the infrastructure. It is vital on a project of this scale to have a local presence, as only then can we constantly monitor the quality of the work and ensure that our high-tech materials protect this superb architecture in the long term. For Getzner, this order is a valuable reference for future projects all over the world", comments Werner Ebster, project manager at Getzner.

Elastic bedding for main traffic artery

During the first stage of the project, Getzner is installing its high-tech Sylomer® material as bedding for the four-lane main traffic artery through Tokyo. "The new building complexes associated with this project will reflect our approach to the 'Vertical Garden City'. For example, this pioneering concept envisages routing roads underground to provide more green space. Installing Sylomer® mats reduces vibration and noise levels. The material has been employed successfully for decades – Getzner has demonstrated this on numerous occasions in the rail sector. The fact that the material can be installed quickly and easily is an important factor in future-oriented urban planning projects", states Toru Tsuchihashi, Deputy General Manager of Mori Building.

Vibration protection for hotel

The bedding of the hotel in the upper floors of the structure will follow. Getzner is bedding the floors of the hotel, the swimming pool, fitness suite and machinery room on Sylomer®. The building complex has currently reached the 42th storey and by the time it is completed will boast 52 floors, making it the tallest building in Tokyo. The hotel and the roadway running underneath it are scheduled to open in 2014.

Factbox Loop Road (Kanjo) No. 2 in Tokyo

Key facts: Soon to become the tallest building in Tokyo (255 m, 52 floors)
Location: Loop Road No. 2 (trunk road from Shimbashi to Toranomon)
Vibration isolation: Getzner Werkstoffe GmbH
Project coordination in Japan: Nihon Getzner K.K. and Getzner Werkstoffe Bürs
Client: Obayashi Corporation
Owner: Mori Building Co., Ltd.
Solution: Elastic bedding of a four-lane roadway, bedding of hotel floors, swimming pool, fitness suite and machinery room on Sylomer®
Completion: 2014