Versatile Foundation

Anti-Seismic Foundation that "Generates Income"

Piled foundations are commonly constructed to support loads from superstructures and are best suited to a weak soil or where the vertical load may not be suitable for pad foundations, strip foundations or raft foundations. Piled foundations are typically used for large structures, and in soil where excessive settlement can occur. Piled foundations are formed by long, slender, columnar elements typically made from steel or reinforced concrete. The fundamental function of the piles is only to support above superstructures and they remain in place over the lifespan of the superstructure. If ECO ParkTM or ECO CycleTM are constructed beneath superstructures, they can also act as a piled foundation since their circular outer shaft is regarded as a large diameter pile. Thus, number of conventional piles can be dramatically reduced being replaced by the ECO Park or ECO Cycle. This multi-functional foundation is called “Versatile Foundation” and is used not only for load supporting but also as income generating parking facilities.

The world's first office building with Versatile Foundation

Daido Shinagawa Building

In December 2003, the 1st application of “Versatile Foundation” office building was constructed near Shinagawa Station, Tokyo Japan. It is a 9 story building. Its anti-seismic foundation is consisted of two units of the ECO Park and one unit of the ECO Cycle and an underground chamber.

  • Location:Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
  • Completion:December 2003
  • Story:1 floor underground, 9 floors above ground, 1 floor penthouse
  • Foundation:Steel frame column structure by pressed-in piles into Tokyo Gravel Layer
  • Land Area:1,653m2
  • Building Area:1,219m2
  • Parking Area:2,468m2
  • Parking Capacity:100 cars (2 ECO Park units)
  • Parking Capacity:144 bicycles (1 ECO Cycle unit)

You can tour an ECO Cycle, ECO Park demonstration.

GIKEN ECO Plaza