The japanese architecture studio nikken sekkei opens its european base in barcelona

one of the world’s largest architectural and engineering studios has opened offices in barcelona in order to begin its process of european expansion. with at present some twenty professionals working in the studio, its growth plans include establishing collaboration alliances with local architectural firms, in catalonia and throughout europe, in order to develop projects together. nikken sekkei chose barcelona as a platform thanks to — in the words the company’s president and chief executive officer tadeo kamei — “the influence of the works of antonio gaudi, the quality of the city’s architectural schools and its excellent communication possibilities”.

nikken sekkei has 2,500 employees (over 1000 of whom are architects), and has its head office in tokyo. as well as other offices in japan, it is established in china, vietnam, singapore and the middle east. it is japan’s largest architecture consultancy group and ranks fifth on a global level. it has been behind projects in over 40 countries and apart from creating singular buildings that dot the skylines of many asian cities, it has developed airports, cultural installations, hospitals and urban planning projects, among others.