Securing a building and keeping it safe from earthquakes takes a lot of work and seismic retrofitting is the way to do it. The problem that does need to be addressed is the risk of permanent damage to the building – and this relates to the way that it looks. Carbon fibre could be the answer according to a company in Japan.
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By using this carbon fibre, shockwaves will be absorbed, and bulk will not be added. This is 90% lighter than steel and yet just as strong. It also is incredibly flexible and therefore there is not drilling needed in order to install it. All that is required here is adhesive and some screws. Rather than connecting the foundations and walls of the building together, it is the roof that is attached to the ground, so everything moves once the shockwaves hit it.
Kengo Kuma is the architect recruited to work on the HQ of Komatsu Seiten and here the strands replicate the strings of a harp as the drop to the ground. There are not as yet plans for all Japanese buildings to be wrapped this way, although fragile important constructions will be protected and yet will not be spoiled by the addition.
