COLLABORATION
Aluminum × Team Building
Stack It Higher and Higher!!
What Is “AL TOWER,” the Workshop That Transforms Teams with Aluminum?
Stack It Higher and Higher!!
What Is “AL TOWER,” the Workshop That Transforms Teams with Aluminum?
Featuring
Sayuri Takemura, UACJ
Interviewer
Ryosuke Kunisada, UACJ
When you think of aluminum, things like cans, foil, or snack wrappers probably come to mind. But what if aluminum could also be a tool for team building? In this article, we’ll introduce AL TOWER, a workshop where you can experience aluminum’s untapped potential.
This time, UACJ’s Kunisada joined a workshop conducted as part of the new employee training program at C3 Film Co., Ltd.!
Participants were fully engaged in animal crafting activities and team-based games. Watching the excitement unfold, I couldn’t help but wonder: Could the key to unlocking new possibilities for aluminum lie in collaboration with outside partners? After the workshop, we spoke with Sayuri Takemura, the UACJ project leader behind AL TOWER.
What is AL TOWER?
Takemura
AL TOWER is a workshop where teams work together to build the tallest self-standing tower they can using 20 sheets of aluminum foil. The key point is that the activity is done twice. The first round is all about prototyping—experimenting with which concepts work best and checking external factors like wind, rather than aiming for perfection.
Kunisada
Today’s workshop was a huge hit. The participants were so engaged and passionate—I was completely absorbed just watching them! (laughs)
Takemura
Every session looks different depending on the company and the members taking part, which makes it fascinating for me as well.
Kunisada
What inspired the creation of this workshop?
Takemura
A few years ago, we started exploring new possibilities for aluminum and engaged in various activities with that goal in mind. At first, we focused on the theme of “aluminum foil × disaster preparedness.” Then, one day, we met an artist who creates figures out of aluminum foil.
Kunisada
You mean Hakuya Sufica, right?
Takemura
Exactly. Watching a dinosaur take shape from aluminum foil right in front of my eyes, I thought, “This is amazing!”
Kunisada
And that became the hint for developing the workshop?
Takemura
Yes. We started looking into how we could turn hands-on experiences with aluminum into a business, and from there, the idea evolved into a team-building workshop for adults.
How Was the Workshop Developed?
Takemura
Actually, AL TOWER wasn’t something we created entirely in-house at UACJ.
Kunisada
I heard it was born out of collaboration with external partners.
Takemura
That’s right. The workshop’s structure and tools were co-developed with a design and consulting firm called hyphenate Inc. We also had the guidance of Professor Emiko Tsuyuki from the Graduate School of Strategic Management at Chuo University.
Kunisada
It’s quite rare for UACJ to develop a project together with people outside the company, isn’t it?
Takemura
It is.
UACJ has traditionally been a company focused on “Mono” (tangible things like materials and products), so creating something centered around “Koto” (intangible experiences and value) was a real challenge for us. That’s exactly why I felt collaborating and co-creating with people outside the company could spark fresh ideas.
Kunisada
That’s collaboration in action!
Why Use Aluminum Foil?
Takemura
Recent studies have shown that aluminum foil actually feels good to the touch and even has a pleasant sound.
Kunisada
So, it has a kind of “soothing effect”?
Takemura
Exactly. Compared to paper or plastic, aluminum seems to lower stress levels when it comes into contact with the skin. You might scold a child for playing with aluminum foil, but in fact, it can have a relaxing effect! (laughs)
Kunisada
Since we rarely get the chance to handle aluminum foil in detail, it makes for an interesting experience in itself.
Takemura
Plus, while aluminum foil is soft and easy to work with, shaping it exactly as you imagine actually takes quite a bit of ingenuity. Even if it doesn’t turn out as planned, the process itself becomes a fun topic of conversation—that’s one of its strengths. (laughs)
Kunisada
I tried making an animal myself, and it was harder than I expected.
Takemura
Leveraging that quality of being “free yet unpredictable,” the trial-and-error process itself sparks creativity. That’s why aluminum foil is the perfect material for this kind of activity.
Who Is the Workshop For?
Takemura
There are three main target groups. The first is communication training. It’s a great opportunity for new employees to learn what collaboration really means.
Kunisada
It also works as an icebreaker to ease tension and promote smooth communication, doesn’t it?
Takemura
Exactly. The second is when a team feels stuck and wants to explore new possibilities. The third is when you want to try out new ideas—ideation. In that case, the primary target is teams working on new business initiatives.
Kunisada
Does the activity change depending on the number of participants?
Takemura
The core content doesn’t change, but with just two people, a hierarchy tends to form, while with six or more, you often get passive observers. So I’d say three to four people is the ideal group size.
What Kind of Insights Can You Gain from AL TOWER?
Takemura
The biggest takeaway is realizing just how fun taking on a challenge can be. At first, you might not know what to do. But once you start, you realize, “This is enjoyable,” and that becomes the trigger to take that first step.
Kunisada
Sounds like it could also be useful for internships or recruitment.
Takemura
In fact, an automotive parts manufacturer already uses it in their internship program. Just 15 minutes is enough to reveal whether someone is a natural leader or a strong supporter—things you can’t always see in an interview.
The workshop also includes a hands-on activity called “Icebreak Zoo,” where participants express themselves by creating animals that represent them, all while experiencing the feel of aluminum.
Kunisada
Where else has this been implemented?
Takemura
A wide range—from consulting firms to manufacturers.
Kunisada
Any unexpected examples?
Takemura
It hasn’t been implemented yet, but a matchmaking agency once asked if they could use it. (laughs) They said having matched couples build a tower together would reveal a lot about each person’s character.
Kunisada
That sounds fun! (laughs)
Takemura
It looks simple, but when you actually try it, it turns out to be quite challenging. And that’s where individuality shines through—some people never give up, others rush and end up collapsing the tower, and some stay quiet but keep at it. All the fun of teamwork is packed into this activity.
How Do Participants Respond?
Takemura
We often hear that it helps boost intrinsic motivation.
Kunisada
What do you mean by that?
Takemura
At first, people start off with a “game-like” mindset, but as they get into it, they become more and more engaged and start acting on their own initiative.
Kunisada
Absolutely! Even during the break, today’s participants were still discussing how to build a taller tower.
Takemura
That’s why I think it’s great that AL TOWER can draw out the motivation to say, “I really want to give this a try.” It’s such a unique feature of the workshop, and it makes me really happy to see that response.
Kunisada
It seems like participants’ feedback could also give us hints about new possibilities for aluminum.
Takemura
Definitely! Things like, “I didn’t know aluminum could do this” or “This could work in this kind of setting.” I hope to keep discovering more through our collaborations with companies introducing AL TOWER.
Voices from Today’s AL TOWER Participants
-It was so much fun to see ideas I’d never think of keep coming up—and to feel new concepts taking shape, including my own!
-I realized that the process of respecting different perspectives while making decisions can be applied to work.
-Aluminum is easy to shape, but hard to restore to its original form!
-I felt strongly that leveraging each team member’s strengths leads to far better results than working alone.
-Working as a team means more minds working together. I was reminded that this is the surest way to succeed.
-I realized that the process of respecting different perspectives while making decisions can be applied to work.
-Aluminum is easy to shape, but hard to restore to its original form!
-I felt strongly that leveraging each team member’s strengths leads to far better results than working alone.
-Working as a team means more minds working together. I was reminded that this is the surest way to succeed.
How Do You See the Future Use of Aluminum?
Takemura
Aluminum is actually a very familiar yet incredibly profound material. I want more people to experience that moment of, “Wow, I didn’t know aluminum could do this!”
Kunisada
It sounds like this will really change the way people see aluminum.
Takemura
More than that, I hope people will come to appreciate not just aluminum, but the unique qualities and value of all materials. Whether it’s steel, plastic, or anything around us, I’d love for people to start paying attention to the materials that make up their world.
Kunisada
We’re excited to see what comes next!
Takemura
Absolutely. If you’re interested in AL TOWER, please feel free to reach out. Thank you so much for your time today.
Kunisada
Thank you!
AFTER INTERVIEW
Ryosuke Kunisada, UACJ
“Workshop no Moto,” including AL TOWER, is an unusual project for UACJ—a manufacturing company—because it focuses on offering a service centered on human resource development. Today, I had the chance to uncover the story behind its creation. What struck me most during the workshop was how the participants were laughing and having fun like children playing in a park. Self-expression and teaming are essential in any organization, regardless of industry or role. That’s why I believe AL TOWER, which allows people to experience this so naturally, has great potential to spread even further.
Profile
I work in the New Domains Development Department, where I’m mainly responsible for the Mizu no Kakehashi (“Bridge of Water”) project. Interestingly, my previous job was in bridge construction, so it seems I can’t quite escape bridges in my life.
Sayuri Takemura, UACJ
Through this interview, I was once again reminded of the potential of AL TOWER. As a facilitator, I tend to view the workshop from that perspective, so receiving comments from a different point of view was truly refreshing and encouraging. I hope AL TOWER will continue to be adopted by more companies and organizations—not just as a team-building tool, but as an opportunity to unlock participants’ creativity and communication skills. I also want to keep exploring new possibilities for aluminum and sharing its appeal with even more people.
Profile
I work in the New Domains Development Department, where I focus on projects related to talent development and creating engaging environments. I used to be a researcher, but my focus has shifted from aluminum to people.
If you’re interested in AL TOWER, please feel free to contact us!
* The information in this article was current at the time of the interview.
