The Japanese characters 安全 (Anzen), which translate to “Safety,” are still on the walls of YKK AP’s factory built in 1959 in Kurobe, Japan. Today, that original structure is the YKK AP Technology Museum. The characters were kept intact not only as a tribute to the site’s industrial history, but also as a reminder of the company’s long-standing commitment to protecting the people behind the technology. The museum, which opened in November 2024, traces the company’s manufacturing and technological history and challenges, while also connecting them to future growth.
The idea to build the museum came in 2020, the same year as YKK AP’s 30th anniversary. The company began researching the history of its architectural products and wanted to find a way to preserve its technology and artifacts. They decided to build the museum.
In doing so, YKK AP wanted to keep much of the original structure. This included retaining the steel truss roof and steel sashes from the building’s original construction.
Like most buildings of the 1950s, the original structure was uninsulated. The retrofit included full thermal insulation to provide energy-saving performance Also, the curtainwall used for the newly renovated walls is made of 100% recycled aluminum, reducing waste and CO2 emissions.
Designed by the Japanese firm Tanseisha, the exhibition space consists of seven zones that introduce the history of YKK AP’s technology. The exhibits also include a company-built aluminum extruder (1987) that was used in actual production.
YKK AP has developed an interactive museum tour, which you can experience here.
Read more about YKK AP in the September issue of USGlass magazine.