■Stainless Steel Round Columns Supporting the Building’s Distinguished Facade

KIKUKAWA contributed to the reconstruction of the Fukuoka headquarters of Yokohamakougin Shinkumi Bank. To realize the design concept described on the client’s website-“an exterior that embodies both strength and dignity”-we fabricated extra-long stainless steel round column panels.

The five round columns at the ground floor entrance-both inside and outside-are designed to appear continuous, extending visually up to the six columns on the fourth-floor terrace. Standing straight, while supporting the building structure, the round columns create a sense of trust and luxury. Also, the smooth luster of our silky-blast finish creates a refined sheen, reflecting the sunlight by day and city lights at night.

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■Challenging the Limits: Extra-Long Panels with Ultra-Narrow Joints

The fabrication of the first-floor round column panels was a key highlight of this project. The seamless long panels, measuring approximately 1,100 mm in diameter and 7,100 mm in height, were produced without any horizontal joints. Even more remarkable is the achievement of maintaining vertical joints at 3 mm in width, dividing the circumference into four segments. This makes it a rare example of long round columns with such narrow joints.

To fabricate the curved panels exceeding 7 meters in length, we utilized our 8-meter press brake bending machine – one of the largest in the industry. To achieve the narrow joints, we developed a custom hook-on system with specially designed fittings and jigs for installation. Through an extensive pre-verification using factory mock-ups, we successfully delivered the large-scale panels with exceptional precision.

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■Custom Decorative Metalwork that Realizes the Client’s Vision

This project posed a unique challenge: crafting extra-long panels with ultra-narrow joints for round columns. Upon completion, the client remarked, “We had initially considered dividing the columns, but seeing the finished result, we’re truly glad we didn’t.” This project was made possible by KIKUKAWA’s expertise in maximizing the potential of specialized machinery developed for processing extra-long panels, combined with the craftsmanship required for flawless installation. We take pride in having brought the client’s design vision to life.