WHO WE ARE?--RIBC:Research Institute on Building Cost
Founded September 28, 1992 under the former Minister of Construction.
(the present Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism: MLIT)
Building Cost Research that Meets Today’s Needs
In recent years, the environment that surrounds Japan’s public building works has changed substantially due to remarkable advances in technology, increasing internationalization, growth of IT, and falling birthrate as well as aging. In the meantime, state measures to secure improved transparency and efficiency of public projects have been carried out, such as a reform of the bidding and contracting system, reductions in construction costs, and improvements in the bidding and contracting of public works.
Public buildings, which are utilized by the general public, must be high in quality. It is therefore necessary that costs of such constructions be accurately managed throughout the entire process, from planning, design through construction.
RIBC, Research Institute on Building Cost, carries out research and development in the area of building cost management to meet today’s needs. RIBC’s aim is to contribute to the construction of high quality buildings and the advancement of construction technologies by disseminating the results of our research.
Our Philosophy
- We conduct comprehensive research with excellent outcomes.
- We contribute to society through our research, which is open to the public.
- We run proper assessment to ensure that research is conducted with priority and efficiency.
Descriptions of Our Work
- 1.
- Research on Building Construction Costs
Building construction costs are largely affected by various factors, such as economy, the environment in which the construction takes place and the nature of the contract. In order to clarify the decision mechanism of such costs, we carry out continual analyses of how construction unit costs and material and labor unit prices change over time.
- 2.
- Research and Development of Building Cost Management Techniques
It is indispensable for any building construction work to utilize cost management techniques that are appropriate for each of its stages, from planning, design and construction. We conduct research and develop such techniques, including building cost estimation techniques and Design VE.
- 3.
- Research on the Systematization of Building Cost Estimation, Design, Construction, etc.
We develop, introduce and promote new systems, which are up to date with the progress of information technology, to rationalize and economize operations of building estimation, design and construction. We carry out studies to ensure that such systems support Construction CALS, etc.
- 4.
- Research on Estimating Systems
We conduct research to develop new estimating systems: for instance, a building estimating system that would correspond to economic fluctuations and an estimating system for reform works, which are expected to increase in number in the future.
- 5.
- Collection and Dissemination of Information on Building Cost Management
We gather and disseminate information on the latest and effective cost management techniques with an aim to contribute to the construction of high-quality buildings
- 6.
- Assessment of Costs of Construction Technologies
With an aim to improve construction technologies, we gather information on new technologies and methods, and offer information on related costs.
- 7.
- Entrusted with Building Cost related Duties
We are entrusted with research on building costs, in addition to compiling data on individual man-power and compound unit costs.
- 8.
- Other Operations Required to Accomplish the Objectives of This Institution