Leading Japanese architectural and urban design firm Nikken Sekkei is showcasing multibillion-dollar local, regional and international projects from 10 different cities across the world, at this year’s Cityscape Global event in Dubai.

A major highlight is Nikken’s W350, a $5.5-billion mixed-use design project which will be home to the tallest wooden skyscraper in the world, set to be built in Tokyo, Japan.

Rising to a height of 350 m, the tower will claim two accolades, the tallest building in Japan and the highest wooden structure in the world when it eventually opens in 2041, which coincides with construction company Sumitomo Forestry’s 350th anniversary.

The 70-storey tower, which is nearly four times higher than the existing record holder for a timber structure, the 18-storey Brock Commons Student Residence in Vancouver, will be made almost entirely of timber, employing 185,000 cu m of wood to construct 90 per cent of the structure and will adopt a braced tube design with columns and beams made from steel and wood, said the Japanese architect in its statement.

The mixed-use development consists of commercial offices, residential apartments, a hotel, retail outlets, water features and a roof garden. The entire structure would also be enveloped with balconies, covered in greenery, it added.

"Our vision for this structure was to contribute positively towards turning Tokyo into a more environment-friendly city and to support its transformation into an urban forest," Dr Fadi Jabri, the executive officer, Principal responsible for Mena, CIS and India regions.

"The greenery which cascades down the full length of the building, affords an organic aspect, as plants adapt in terms of daylight hours, temperature and altitude," he added.

Nikken is also showcasing Vondny Mir, a 140-m mixed-use high-rise in Moscow, consisting of serviced apartments, a shopping mall, conference rooms, sports facilities and office space.

Also on display is its Dubai-based project, One Za’abeel, with the tallest tower reaching more than 300-m high situated adjacent to the Dubai World Trade Centre, in the new financial district.

Nikken Sekkei’s unique twin-tower complex will include a residential tower with apartments, a five-star hotel tower and a commercial tower, with office space and the Gallery, a retail destination.

“Standing proudly in the heart of Dubai, this building represents the ambition, innovation and pioneering spirit of Dubai, as a cosmopolitan 21st century city,” added Dr. Jabri.

Nikken is also displaying the Oasis transport orientated design (TOD) project which, once complete, would be Dubai’s first TOD project featuring high-rise mixed-use towers.

Other interesting projects include Tadawul headquarters (Saudi Stock Exchange) in Riyadh. The construction of the superstructure is complete, with preparation ongoing for interior fit-out, featuring state-of-the-art technologies and on track to achieve Leed (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold.

Another Nikken project that is generating a lot of interest at Cityscape Global amongst football fans, is the latest design updates and progress at the Futur Camp Nou, FC Barcelona’s iconic football stadium, which will be expanded and renovated at a cost of €380 million.

The proposal requirements include plans for complete refurbishment, a roof installation, and a capacity increase from 99,000 to 105,000 spectators, with construction due for completion by 2021.-TradeArabia News Service