Franck Giral

MANAGING PARTNER

Project Management Professional (PMP)
Structural & Civil Engineer
Japanese Real Estate Licensee
Japanese 2nd Class Architect
Certified Professional Revit for Architecture
Certified UAV (drone) Operator

Karateka black belt, half-marathon runner, biker

Technical Skills

  • Project Management
  • Architectural Design
  • Structural Engineering
  • Business Management
  • Due Diligence
  • Development & Real Estate Regulation

Languages

  • English
  • Japanese
  • French
  • Chinese

Biography

Franck Giral is an accomplished French Engineer (accredited by the Commission des Titres d’Ingénieurs), and a qualified Japanese 2nd Class Architect, certified Project Management Professional (PMP). In addition, he is a Japanese Real Estate licensee. He has already passed the written part of the Japanese 1st Class Architect examination, and plans to pass the drawing examination in October 2023.

Franck’s crendentials include of B. Sc. (Bachelor of Science) in Structural Engineering and M. Sc. (Master of Science) in Civil Engineering & Urbanism.

After working for more than four years in building construction control (structural engineering, and regulatory compliance, construction methods…), which means he’s probably one of the few people who can read the building codes without falling asleep.

Moving to China to oversee warehouse construction projects, Franck quickly made his way to Japan, where he managed a $100M USD project in Niseko. As of 2023, Franck has accumulated more than 15 years as a senior project manager in the Niseko area, working on numerous successful projects ranging from cabins to ultra-luxurious resort homes, land developments and multi-use projects. The largest project he has undertaken, worth tens of billions of JPY.

Franck acquired his architect’s license in 2012 and since then has been improving his design skills.

When he’s not busy building amazing structures, Franck is an autodidact in Japanese and Chinese languages, and is interested in studies from engineering to psychology, as well as politics. He is fluent in French, English and Japanese, and speaks Chinese on a daily basis. He can switch between languages faster than you can say “Bonjour.”

He has been a karate practitioner for more than half of his life and has attained the level of black belt in the Shito-ryu style.

Franck innovated when he worked for Nisade (Niseko Alpine Developments), where he developed due diligence procedures while being a project manager, and Hokkaido Tracks (now H2), where he developed and implemented project management procedures, especially for land developments.

Chronology

2020-Present
Founder & Managing Partner, ABD Architecture LLC
2014-2020
Business Manager & Senior Project Manager, Hokkaido Tracks Development (H2Group)
Niseko, Japan
2007-2014
Project Manager, Niseko Alpine Developments (Nisade)
Niseko, Japan
2006-2007
Construction Department Country Manager, FM Logistic
Shanghai, China
2001-2006
Construction Control Engineer, Qualiconsult
France

WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT US

  • “Franck’s local knowledge of both building and land development regulations proved critical in negotiating with local authorities in resolving several issues and hurdles which otherwise would have been detrimental to our project. I would recommend Franck to manage large mixed-used projects in Niseko.”

    Christopher Liu
    Head of Development, Metropoly Holdings Limited
  • “Franck Giral was efficient and knowledgeable in all aspects of the development and created a good rapport with the entire team. His good Japanese and English communication skills and sound technical knowledge ensured the project was delivered on time and on budget.”

    Jason Kuok
    Supernova-land HK Ltd., Founder & General Manager
  • Franck impressed me not only with his language abilities that allows smooth communications between the local team and the client, but also with his deep understanding and knowledge of the Japanese construction and development regulations. This plays an invaluable role when it comes to transform the client’s requests into realistic plans.”

    Seiji Nakadate
    YK ND Studio, 1st Class Architect & CEO
  • “Franck is an excellent contributing team member and highly knowledgeable professional through all project phases. We have successfully collaborated with Franck on a few projects throughout Hokkaido in the last 2 years. As an international design service, his multilingual communication and project coordination skills have greatly assisted us through the projects.”

    Craig Takahata
    ZOO, Founder & Creative Director
  • “Franck is a diligent and serious designer and an expert who really understands Niseko. His design not only meets the high standards of private customization, but also shows the talent of the designer.
    He is a trusted partner.”

    Gaoshan
    Developer
  • “Franck was available to us every minute of the day either by email, Skype or phone and professionally liaised with our architects, local council, builders and numerous sub-contractors. Although Franck was not based near the construction site, he made the constant effort of always being on site when required.”

    Luke Robinson
    Homeowner

Contact Info