World's First!
A Fusion of Tradition and
Evolution Attained Using
Nishijin Textiles
Taiyo Kogyo Corporation
Kanako Nakatani
―― I understand that you are involved in a membrane structure building. How are you involved in this pavilion?
I am in charge of (1) the development, manufacture, and processing of Nishijin textile membranes, (2) the production design and manufacture of steel frames, and (3) the design and construction of Nishijin textile membranes and other membranes. Among them, I am involved in the study of the manufacturing data of Nishijin textile membranes, the study of the integration of secondary steel members, structural membranes, and Nishijin textile membranes, and how to design and pattern the membrane materials woven with patterns. It usually takes more than 10 years to develop membrane materials. This time, Taiyo Kogyo took on the challenge of dealing with textiles with patterns and unevenness and matching patterns, and Hosoo took on the challenge of using Nishijin textiles outdoors and adjusting them in units as small as millimeters. It was truly wonderful that it was able to take shape in a short period of only about two years. With the cooperation of each company, we were able to share our learning and finally overcome many challenges.
―― Tell us about your enthusiasm for the conception and development of the pavilion.
When I saw the image perspective produced by Takamatsu (designer) at the beginning of the plan, I was shocked. I felt that this is a difficult challenge and will inevitably remain in the history of the membrane structure industry.The use of uneven textiles as exterior materials, weaving patterns and part shapes at the fabric manufacturing stage, and matching patterns - everything was a first-time challenge. There are so many challenges that I wonder if we will really achieve the end result, but I am working with a strong desire to somehow bring that perspective drawing into reality.
―― What kinds of difficulties did you have?
"The difficulty was pattern matching Nishijin textiles.It was very difficult to match patterns using textiles with completely different membrane materials and manufacturing methods (such as uneven weaving, the difference in the thickness and elongation of warp yarns and weft yarns, and tension management methods). It also took a lot of time to understand their characteristics. In particular, the expansion and contraction of the fabric became a major obstacle. As we proceeded with the prototype, we found that the fabric shrinks in the manufacturing process (weaving, coating), and we found that the pattern deviates greatly when weaving it as it is.Therefore, we adopted a new approach --""expanding textiles and weaving them."" This had not been seen in the membrane structure industry until now.The tendency of the textile to expand and contract varies depending on the peculiarities of the loom and the direction of the yarn, so we tried to set the expansion rate for each loom and each yarn direction to minimize the deviation of the pattern."
―― What do you want visitors to feel?
"The building with full-scale Nishijin textiles, a traditional Japanese craft, is the first in the world. In ordinary membrane structure buildings, the soft impression of white and bright often reminds us of shoji (a traditional Japanese sliding door with a wooden frame covered with Japanese paper), but by combining the weaving technology of Nishijin textiles and the processing, design and construction technology of membrane structure, we were able to give an impression of a type of byobu (a traditional folding screen) with the majestic atmosphere created by the deep red texture and the overwhelming force of the boldly designed floral pattern.The Joint Pavilion Iida Group x Osaka Metropolitan University is a pavilion filled with many challenges. It has been about 50 years since the Expo' 70 in Osaka, where the membrane structure spread to the world. Having returned to Osaka, I think visitors will feel that the technology of architectural and membrane structures has developed even further since then."
