Kinosaki Marine World “TUBE” membrane roof replacement installation

(Tokyo headquarters: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; Osaka headquarters: Yodogawa-ku, Osaka; President: Yumi Nomura; hereafter “Taiyo Kogyo”), a company engaged in the manufacture of large membrane structures (tent structures), civil engineering and logistics materials, and other products, has completed a complete replacement of the membrane roof of the “TUBE” pool for sea lions and sea lions at Kinosaki Marine World (Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture; operated by Hiyoriyama Kanko Co.) (Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture; Operated by Hiyoriyama Kanko Co., Ltd.; President: Kazuya Imazu), Taiyo Kogyo has completely replaced the membrane roof of the “TUBE” pool for sea lions and sea lions. The work, which was part of a large-scale renovation of the facility, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, was completed by taking advantage of the characteristics of TM trusses, which allow the framework members to be subdivided into smaller pieces, in a difficult location with a narrow site between the sea and a cliff.

Located on Hiyoriyama Coast, part of the San’in Kaigan Geopark, Kinosaki Marine World is an interactive aquarium where visitors can interact with approximately 300 species and 7,000 living creatures from the surrounding seas and rivers. Among them, “TUBE” is a dynamic exhibition and show area where sea lions, sea lions, seals, penguins, etc. live, and was renovated in time for its full reopening on July 18, 2025 (Friday).

The construction site is located on a narrow strip of land between the ocean and a cliff. This construction project, which utilized the existing anchor bolts and foundation to rebuild, began with the demolition of the roof in February 2025, and the new roof was installed from April to June 2025. In addition to the narrow site, the construction conditions were challenging because, unlike the construction we performed 30 years ago when the aquarium was opened, the aquarium was open for regular operations, making it impossible to use a large crane. For this reason, the components were transported manually and assembled by hand. The components used averaged approximately 14 kilograms and were 2.2 meters long. The “TM truss,” which is a combination of steel pipe and steel ball joints, has a structure that allows parts to be freely connected to each other with spheres, making it easy to distribute stress (transmission of force) and enabling a large roof to be supported with fewer pillars. The use of diagonal bracing (rotating the angle of the upper and lower grids, making one grid smaller than the other, and arranging the secondary member support pitch finer than the other) reduces the number of members and costs. Since the roof structure is lighter than ordinary steel frames, the load burden on the foundation is reduced and seismic safety is enhanced. Lightweight and open space is realized.

Taiyo Kogyo is engaged in the integrated design, production, and construction of TM trusses, a structural system combining steel pipe and steel ball joints. The company manufactures its products at its Mizuho Plant (Kyotanba-cho, Kyoto Prefecture).

TM trusses, which Taiyo Kogyo began selling in Japan in 1977, have been widely used in arenas, gymnasiums, and public facilities. The company has a track record of approximately 1,000 buildings throughout Japan.

Taiyo Kogyo is a leading manufacturer of large membrane surface structures that are economical, easy to install, translucent, and well designed. Under the corporate philosophy of “Unlocking the infinite possibilities of membranes to deliver an inspiring and comfortable environment to our customers. Under the corporate philosophy of “We will bring excitement and a comfortable environment to our customers by exploiting the infinite possibilities of membranes,” TSP Taiyo has been supporting the safety and security of society by utilizing the characteristics of light and strong materials to expand its business in various fields including construction, as symbolized by the roof of the giant dome, civil engineering, logistics, and environmental fields.
Together with group companies such as TSP Taiyo Corporation, which provides event consulting services, and ACTIO Corporation, which manages facilities, we are working to “make the world softer and the future warmer. We aim to “make the world soft and the future warm. We aim to “soften the world and warm the future.