In a groundbreaking move to revolutionize the understanding of piling technologies, GIKEN LTD. has recently inaugurated its Information Transmission Base, “RED HILL 1967,” in Kochi, Japan. This facility serves as a beacon for construction enthusiasts, industry professionals, and curious minds alike, providing an immersive experience into the world of innovative press-in technologies.
Since its May opening, “RED HILL 1967” has become a magnet for diverse visitors, ranging from government agencies and contractors to users and shareholders. The facility is strategically designed with four distinct areas, each contributing to the overall goal of fostering a deeper appreciation for the advancements in piling methodologies.
Demonstration Area: Where Innovation Meets Reality
At the heart of “RED HILL 1967” lies the Demonstration Area, a space meticulously designed to replicate various construction sites using real machines on a life-sized scale. Visitors can witness the prowess of GIKEN’s cutting-edge technologies, including the SILENT PILER™ for pile press-in and extraction, the GRB System™ for temporary work-free construction, and the Implant™ Method for creating robust structures.
The Implant™ Lock Levee showcased in this area stands as a testament to GIKEN’s commitment to providing solutions that resist all types of levee breakage factors with exceptional strength. The Gyropress Method™, a revolutionary rotary cutting press-in technique for tubular piles, is also on display, illustrating its application in the maintenance and reinforcement of aging infrastructures without the need for removing existing concrete structures.
Sozokan: The Museum of Piling Machines
The Sozokan, or the Museum of Piling Machines, is a unique building employing sheet piles as its primary structural material. This architectural marvel utilizes confined ground seismic dampers to create a steel spread foundation over soft ground, minimizing ground subsidence during earthquakes.
Home to over 50 actual machines and equipment, including the first-ever certified Mechanical Engineering Heritage, the SILENT PILER™, Sozokan traces the evolution of GIKEN’s inventions and developments. Visitors can explore the rich history through informative panels and videos, gaining insight into the technological milestones that have shaped the industry.
Research Building: Unveiling the Future of Press-In Technologies
Constructed with steel sheet piles forming an unceasing wall, the Research Building integrates the functionality of pile foundations, walls, and pillars. A world-first trial involves using a 2-meter diameter tubular pile as the elevator shaft, showcasing GIKEN’s commitment to pushing boundaries.
The Research Building houses a theater and exhibition hall, where the past, present, and future of press-in principles and technologies are explored. Additionally, it provides office space for ongoing research and verification tests, ensuring a dynamic environment for innovation and discovery.
Kochi Factory 3: Pioneering Product Development
Situated as the largest GIKEN factory in Japan, Kochi Factory 3 serves as a hub for product development, prototyping, and verification of large-scale products. Established in 2019 to accelerate global expansion, the factory’s foundation of 54 tubular piles, installed using the Gyropress Method™, symbolizes GIKEN’s commitment to implementing its revolutionary technologies in its own infrastructure.
“RED HILL 1967” stands not only as a testament to GIKEN’s technological prowess but also as an invitation to stakeholders worldwide to envision the future of the construction industry. By offering an immersive experience that transcends linguistic and cultural barriers, GIKEN aims to inspire a global dialogue on what constitutes ideal construction and the limitless possibilities that lie ahead.
As the world grapples with evolving infrastructure needs, GIKEN’s commitment to transparency and education through the RED HILL 1967 facility serves as a beacon for sustainable and efficient construction practices. For those who believe that “seeing is believing,” this facility opens a window into the future, where press-in technologies redefine the landscape of construction, one pile at a time.
