In this project, I supported the reconstruction of the Central Research Laboratory of Kikkoman Corporation as project manager. In addition to the selection of designers and construction companies, we provided support throughout the project, including setting requirements for the functions, facilities, and layout required for the Central Research Laboratory, bidding for office furniture and fixtures, and selecting a moving company.

Project Issues

The existing Central Research Laboratory was more than 60 years old, and was inadequate for strengthening and concentrating basic and fundamental research, and for functioning as a center for group research and development. The challenge was to build a research center that would fit in with the landscape of Noda, known as the "soy sauce town," and that would be unique to Kikkoman at a reasonable cost.

Index Consulting's Solution

When Index Consulting was contacted, no design firm had been chosen, so we assisted in the selection of a design firm. At that time, we adopted the "construction with implementation design" method, in which the design firm would provide only the basic design and the general contractor would provide the implementation design and construction. 

In addition, we conducted bidding for each process, such as demolition of the existing facilities, selection of furniture and fixtures for the laboratory, and delivery of equipment and materials for research. At the construction stage, we reviewed the construction details and materials again, and conducted value engineering to reduce costs without compromising functionality, thereby optimizing the overall cost.

While blending in with the cityscape of Noda City, we were able to construct a state-of-the-art research institute that will serve as the center of the Group's research and development, as well as a disaster prevention base with a seismically isolated structure.