Building trust as an advocate for clients. Construction managers support Nomura's space creation.

After working for the local prefectural government and an architectural firm, Komuro Katsuhiko joined NOMURA Co.,Ltd., where he is active in the Construction Management Department. He established a new role as a bridge between project stakeholders while building trust, and was awarded an in-house prize for his work. We take a closer look at how Komuro moved from a rigid construction site to the world of creating glamorous spaces, and his future prospects.

The key to project success is "communication skills." Supporting the project with technology and trust

The Construction Management Department, to which Komuro belongs, is responsible for interiors space project management and business support for large-scale and special projects. They are involved in projects from the planning stage and provide comprehensive support for the technical aspects on behalf of their clients.
Komuro is primarily in charge of construction management (CM) related to interiors design.

Komuro: "My main job is to carry out technical management when constructing or renovating buildings. Specifically, I act as the client's agent and am responsible for schedule management, quality control, and risk management for interiors and displays construction. I also act as a coordinator between the client, project stakeholders, and internal members of the company, ensuring the entire project proceeds smoothly.

We are not limited to a specific field, such as commercial facilities or hotels, and are involved in projects for a wide range of clients."

As a CM and project manager (PM), Komuro believes that communication is the most important factor in leading a project to success.

Komuro: "I try to take a bird's-eye view of the entire project and carefully understand the positions and opinions of each person involved. If necessary, I communicate with the people involved before meetings, acting as a kind of lubricant."

More than just a coordinating role, we also act as a bridge between the client and the people involved, building relationships of trust with both internal and external parties, and delivering technical recommendations and decisions to the field.

Komuro: "In terms of technical content, we represent points that are difficult for customers to say, and frankly convey their opinions on the pros and cons of construction and the process to designers and construction. However, before communicating this, we make adjustments in advance and try to respond politely.
Although he is a "spokesperson", he does not just convey it, but carefully conveys what needs to be said while being considerate of everyone involved. I really value that kind of "quality of coordination"."

The background to this ability to adjust is Komuro's diverse experience and the knowledge of spatial creation that NOMURA Co.,Ltd. has cultivated over many years.

Komuro: "We place importance on finding the best solution for our clients through dialogue with various stakeholders. We address the different challenges that come with each project, such as whether to prioritize cost or schedule, by leveraging the extensive know-how that NOMURA Co.,Ltd. has cultivated through its experience in creating spaces."

From a rigid workplace to a glamorous stage: A turning point led by a challenge

▲ KANDA SQUARE

Komuro, who studied architectural history at graduate school, began his career at the Fukushima Prefectural Government Office in his hometown, where he was responsible for the maintenance and management of public facilities, and was also involved in the construction of new government buildings and the reconstruction of the tsunami-damaged Joint Government Building.

Komuro: "At the prefectural office, I was involved in the construction of the new building and the renovation of the existing one as a supervisor. Over the course of three years, I was able to gain experience in building maintenance and earthquake-resistance construction, and when the building I was in charge of was completed, I decided to move on to the next step."

He then moved to a local design firm, where he was responsible for a wide range of tasks from design to construction management, when he encountered something that marked a turning point for him.

Komuro: "When I was working at the design firm where I was in charge of designing an antenna shop for a famous confectionery manufacturer, Head Office 's headquarters was being constructed at the same time, and I had the opportunity to experience interiors construction. That was my first introduction to the display industry, and I found it to be a glamorous and interesting job.
I learned about NOMURA Co.,Ltd. while I was job hunting, and I was also attracted to entertainment-related work, such as creating spaces for amusement parks. I began to feel a desire to take on the challenge of the display industry, which I had no experience in, and so I decided to join the company."

After joining the company, Komuro was put in charge of the KANDA SQUARE project in the design department, which was planned in the Kanda area. This was the commercial floor of a 21-story office building constructed by Sumitomo Corporation in Kanda, and Komuro was in charge of working drawings.

Komuro: "It was a challenging project, aiming to fuse the history and culture of Kanda with modern concept design and traditional artisan techniques, and to create an innovative yet accessible space for everyone. We used traditional techniques such as brick and plastering for the walls, but we had to meet strict earthquake resistance standards, and construction materials that are heavier than paint, etc., was a major challenge.
We promoted the project using a "guild" method, where Sumitomo Corporation, designers, and craftsmen communicated directly, and we solved the technical problems one by one."

Komuro recalls that the smooth progress of this special project, which had to be completed within the limited time frame of two years, gave him confidence.

Komuro: "By working with talented designers and guild members, we were able to successfully overcome difficult technical challenges. The client was very pleased, and there was no damage to the walls even in the subsequent earthquake, so I felt that the project was a success.
Also, thanks to my experience on the client side in my previous job, I believe my strength is being able to understand the positions of the business operator, construction, and designer, and make various adjustments accordingly."

Flexibility and adaptability to overcome difficulties

▲Rihga Royal Hotel Osaka Vignette Collection

In November 2023, Komuro took a month of childcare leave after the birth of his second child, which coincided with the start of a guest room renovation project at the Rihga Royal Hotel Osaka.

Komuro: "With my first child, I was able to balance work and child-rearing because I was working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but with my second child, I will need to commute back and forth to Osaka due to the project.

So I took a month of parental leave to focus on raising my child. After returning to work, I continued to travel to Osaka two to three times a week for a year and a half, and with the support of my family, I was able to see the project through to completion."

This project is a large-scale renovation of the guest rooms that will take approximately a year and a half and involve over 40 people from various professions within the company alone. Komuro will be taking on this new challenge.

Komuro: "Conventionally, project progress management was handled by the sales department, but Rihga Royal was a large-scale project involving over 40 internal members, so more specialized management was required.

Therefore, our Construction Management Department has decided to take on the new role of 'in-house PM', which involves acting as the liaison with the client, managing the progress of the project, and coordinating with each department."

This system unifies the work that was previously handled separately by each department. By having the in-house PM handle everything from answering customer questions to adjusting schedules and considering design changes, we have achieved efficient project management.

Komuro: "By introducing this new system, we were able to prevent the same questions from being asked multiple times by multiple departments, and we were able to centralize schedule changes and cost management, which significantly reduced waste throughout the project.

Furthermore, by having our in-house PM participate in all major meetings, information sharing among the parties involved has become much smoother, and we feel that this has improved the transparency of the entire project."

This initiative also led to an internal award in fiscal 2024.

Komuro: "Having received an internal award, there has been increased attention being paid to in-house PMs. However, the same method cannot be applied to all projects.

In the future, I would like to flexibly adapt the role to suit the characteristics of each project and expand it to more projects. By expanding the new role of in-house PM to the entire NOMURA Co.,Ltd., I would like to contribute to improving the driving force behind projects."

Behind the scenes, we have a strong sense of trust and professionalism

What kind of presence does the Construction Management Department aim to have in the future? Komuro talks about the department's outlook.

Komuro: "We aim to be a department that customers will recognize as 'Leave it to NOMURA Co.,Ltd., Ltd. and your project will proceed smoothly.' To that end, I would like to increase the number of members who can drive projects forward as CMs.

Also, personally, I don't have any particular preference for a particular genre, but I would like to take on a project like an amusement park someday."

As we gain trust and experience day by day, there are many rewarding moments.

Komuro: "Any project has its ups and downs, but each time you overcome one, you feel a sense of accomplishment. The joy you feel when the project is complete, as well as the sense of accomplishment you feel at key stages of the project, are what make this job so appealing."

Komuro talks about the appeal of NOMURA Co.,Ltd. from his own unique perspective.

Komuro: "I think it's a company that creates spaces that move people's emotions, such as excitement, thrills, and thrills. In addition to being directly involved in concept design and production, it's also possible to be involved in coordinating the entire project, and the appeal is that you can participate in creating spaces using a variety of approaches.

I'm always involved in buildings that become popular, so it's a stimulating environment and I feel a sense of pride in being able to tell my children, 'Dad built this.'"

Regardless of the scale or content of the project, Komuro listens carefully to the opinions of each and every person involved and makes careful adjustments. Utilizing this attitude and his wealth of experience, Komuro will continue to provide powerful behind-the-scenes support for NOMURA Co.,Ltd. 's spatial creations.

*The information provided is current as of May 2025.