Interview 06
From the Side That Supports Architecture,
To Structural Designers Who Create Safety
Tokyo Branch – Architectural Design Office
Joined in 2022
Supporting a Building’s Skeleton:
Structural Design Work
I mainly handle structural design for school facilities, carrying out the entire workflow from structural calculations to drawing production. Working in close coordination with architectural design, the role of structural engineering is to verify—using numbers and theory—that the building will remain safe under seismic and wind loads. During the design phase, the focus is on computer‑based calculations and drawings, but seeing the columns and beams I planned actually being erected on site makes me realize that each one supports the safety of the building’s users. It may not be a flashy job, but I feel it’s a responsible and indispensable role in architecture.
An Environment That Fosters Continuous Learning and Drives Growth
At first I was worried about keeping up with the highly specialized work of structural design, but my supervisor adjusted both the workflow and the workload, allowing me to build knowledge and experience step by step. Whenever something was unclear, I could ask right away, and I’d summarize what I learned in a notebook to deepen my understanding. The distance between me and my manager is close, and casual conversations often lead to natural consults. In this environment, I feel that I’m steadily improving my skills without over‑stretching myself.
