Copyright Forest More Nippon (The grand prize "Rigetsukyo")

The winners of the "Japan Land of Wood House Design Competition 2004" were announced in December 2004. This competition selects highly comfortable wooden houses with sophisticated designs that utilize domestic, including immediately local, timber. Out of 198 applications, 40 houses were selected as winners, including one for the grand prize.

This annual competition was started in 2003 by "Forest More Nippon," a committee organized mainly by Universal Design Intelligence Inc. that aims to make better use of forest resources in Japan. Applicants were reviewed and selected on the basis of three criteria:
1) Whether it uses local timber and other building materials that guarantee resident safety and security;
2) Whether the house is built with locally inherited traditional techniques;
3) Whether it is well-designed and reasonably-priced.
The process of building the house is also considered, for example if recycled, old timber is used, or if there is some form of collaboration between the owners and builders.

The grand prize was given to a house design called "Rigetsukyo." It was highly thought of not only for its truss structure, open space, and modern interior, but also for using economic timber and a low-cost design with a minimum finishing option. It is also safety-conscious and environment-friendly as it incorporates measures to prevent sick house syndrome and adopts a passive solar design.

The Forest More Nippon committee hopes to promote comfortable wooden houses that embrace the warmth and gentleness of wood. It also plans to reassess techniques for utilizing Japan's rich forest resources, and promote an expanded working role for those who can impart woodworking skills. A traveling exhibition showing prize winning houses will soon be available on request, both from in and outside Japan.




Posted: 2005/06/09 06:49:34 AM
Japanese version

TAG Chemicals , Ecosystem , Other , University/Research institute