Seeking and Reviewing Next-generation Sustainable Housing Technology

The winning project is scheduled to be completed on the site of Memu Meadows in Taiki-cho, Hokkaido in November 2014

02/05/2014 — TOKYO — (BUSINESS WIRE)

The LIXIL JS Foundation (located in Koto-ku, Tokyo; president: Yoichiro Ushioda), which facilitates surveys and research related to the housing and building materials industries as well as supporting the development of human resources, conducted the 4th LIXIL International University Architectural Competition at the Keidanren Kaikan (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) on April 25, 2014 (Fri). The purpose of the competition is to seek and review next-generation sustainable housing technology and communicating that technology to global society. The top three universities chosen from twelve participating universities in nine countries for the Open Final Screening gave presentations, and University of California, Berkeley’s NEST WE GROW was selected as the winner.

University of California, Berkeley NEST WE GROW (Photo: Business Wire)

During the Open Final Screening, a heated discussion occurred between jury president, Kengo Kuma (Architect / Professor, the University of Tokyo) and jurors, Tomonari Yashiro (Doctor of Engineering / Vice President, the University of Tokyo), Isoya Shinji (Landscape Architect, Doctor of Agriculture, Professor Emeritus, Tokyo University of Agriculture), and Kundo Koyama (Television, radio and script writer, Professor, Tohoku University of Art And Design). The theme of the 4th competition was “Productive Garden — A Space for Enjoying Hokkaido with All Five Senses” and emphasis was placed on the interpretation of this theme, feasibility of programs and the relationship with the environment of Taiki-cho.

University of California, Berkeley’s NEST WE GROW was given the top prize in recognition of its consideration of the vegetation on Taiki-cho, the compact design enabling the cultivation of a variety of plants in planters located in the building, and the unique idea of using high visibility polycarbonate in the exterior walls to provide a better view of the Hokkaido landscape.

In his general comments, jury president, Kengo Kuma said, “This competition was really interesting. It covered issues like how architecture and landscape affect the environment, and deeply philosophical topic of how to solve the issue of dual nature that plants as giving us visual pleasure or the plants as living organisms in terms of the relationship between humans and plants. I think future process is very important in order to make a plan to please everyone in Taiki-cho in response to the reality of Taiki-cho and nature of the plants as living organisms. An exciting process is waiting us.” At the award ceremony, Hsiu Wei Chang and Baxter Smith from the winning team at University of California, Berkeley commented, “We are very excited to win the top prize. We really look forward to realizing this ‘NEST’.”

With support from Kengo Kuma & Associates, the team will arrive at a final design for “NEST WE GROW”, and the project is scheduled to be built in November 2014 on a site at Memu Meadows, located in Taiki-cho, Hokkaido.

Reference Information

Overview of the 4th LIXIL International University Architectural Competition

2． Judging method
Twelve universities in nine countries were invited to submit proposals for a next-generation, sustainable house designed for a cold region. Three entrants were then selected in the first screening (based on documents submitted). The top prize winner was subsequently chosen in the Open Final Screening.

3． Jury:
Kengo Kuma (Architect / Professor, the University of Tokyo)
Tomonari Yashiro (Professor, Institute of Industrial Science, the University of Tokyo / Vice President, the University of Tokyo)
Isoya Shinji (Landscape Architect / Doctor of Architecture / Professor Emeritus, Tokyo University of Agriculture)
Kundo Koyama (Television, radio and script writer / Professor, Tohoku University of Art and Design)

4． Prizes
Top prize (one work): $15,000 (USD; including design costs)
Award of Excellence (two works): $3,000
*Top-prize work will be constructed on a site in Memu Meadows (Taiki-cho, Hokkaido).

Building schedule for “NEST WE GROW”, the top prize work by University of California, Berkeley (2014)
May-June: Working drawing
July: Cost estimates, etc.
Aug.: Construction begins
Sept.-Oct.: Construction continues
Nov.: Construction set to be completed

Organizer: LIXIL JS Foundation
Cooperator: LIXIL Corporation Research Institute, Hokkaido Taiki Town
Supporter: Obihiro Development and Construction Dept. / Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau / Hokkaido Government Tokachi General Subprefectural Bureau / Architectural Institute of Japan / The Japan Institute of Architects (JIA) / Japan Federation of Architects & Building Engineers Associations / Shinkenchiku-sha Co., Ltd.
Official website: www.lixiljsfound.or.jp/category/1835715.html
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/LIXIL.IUAC

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20140501007015/en/

CONTACT:

Executive Secretariat of 4th LIXIL International University Architectural Competition
KYODO PUBLIC RELATIONS Co., Ltd.
Yasuharu Sakai, +81(0)3-3571-5326
lixil_pr@kyodo-pr.co.jp

KEYWORDS:   United States  Europe  Asia Pacific  North America  Canada  Norway  California  Japan

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:   Education  University  Natural Resources  Agriculture  Architecture  Landscape  Environment  Research  Construction & Property  Residential Building & Real Estate  Other Construction & Property  Science

MEDIA:

Photo

University of California, Berkeley NEST WE GROW (Photo: Business Wire)

Photo

Group photo (Photo: Business Wire)