Coeru Shibuya Offices and Commercial Building

Timber-Steel Hybrid Innovation in Urban Architecture

In the heart of Tokyo’s vibrant Shibuya district, Coeru Shibuya stands as a pioneering hybrid structure that bridges sustainable construction with high-performance architecture. Designed by Maeda Corporation in collaboration with structural engineers Holzstr, the building showcases a groundbreaking Timber-Steel Hybrid system—a structural solution that combines the resilience of steel with the warmth and sustainability of timber.

Structural System: “Mokkou-Kumiko” Lattice Bracing

At the core of the building’s identity is the Mokkou-Kumiko brace—a lattice system where exposed red pine wraps around internal steel plates. This hybrid technique maximizes the compressive strength of timber and the tensile durability of steel, forming a structure with enhanced seismic resistance, ideal for Japan’s earthquake-prone landscape.

Applied visibly across two main façades, this system breaks architectural norms by integrating natural materials into high-rise construction without compromising structural integrity. The result is a tactile, visually engaging presence on the Shibuya streetscape—an urban façade that blurs boundaries between commercial and office typologies.

Seamless Integration of Timber and Steel

Internally, the timber-wrapped beams conceal all mechanical connections—there are no exposed bolts or gusset plates, offering a seamless visual of natural wood surfaces. The beams not only provide aesthetic value but also serve a critical fire-resistant function, wherein the outer timber layer carbonizes to shield the steel core, preserving the structure’s integrity.

This hybrid solution extends to floors above the 10th level, where timber-steel composite beams are structurally equivalent to standard steel yet offer environmental and visual benefits. This adaptive engineering aligns with the building’s overall sustainability objectives.

Sustainability as a Central Design Driver

Coeru Shibuya is more than a showcase of hybrid materials—it’s a symbol of urban ecological responsibility. The building operates on renewable energy, aligning with the RE100 initiative, a global benchmark aiming for 100% renewable electricity in corporate operations.

Every decision, from structural system to energy sourcing, reflects the project’s commitment to green building standards, material efficiency, and urban environmental consciousness—all within a compact site in one of Tokyo’s most bustling districts.

All the photographs are works of Naohiro Ogura