Apr 29 2013
In the open final screening of the 3rd LIXIL International University Architectural Competition, held publicly on April 20, Sat, 2013 at Plaza Hall, Kasumigaseki Building (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo), "HORIZON HOUSE" by Harvard University (USA) was chosen from three finalists, previously selected from a total of twelve designated universities from eleven different countries, to receive the top prize.
Harvard University / Horizon House (Photo: Business Wire)
The competition was established by the LIXIL JS Foundation to inform the wider public of technological developments in the field. The foundation (located in Koto-ku, Tokyo; president: Yoichiro Ushioda), which undertakes surveys and research related to the housing and building materials industry as well as supporting the development of human resources, is actively engaged in the search and verification of next-generation sustainable housing.
During the open final screening, a heated discussion occurred between jury president, Kengo Kuma (architect / professor, University of Tokyo) and jurors, Tomonari Yashiro (doctor of engineering / vice president, University of Tokyo) and Darko Radoviæ (professor, Keio University). The three stressed the importance of interpreting the theme of this year's competition, "RETREAT IN NATURE" (i.e., creating a hideaway detached from everyday life).
The winning work, "HORIZON HOUSE" by Harvard University (USA), was notable for a mechanism designed to reduce construction material-based energy generation through the use of composite materials for the foundation. In addition to a sustainable design, including raised floors to deal with snowfall, the house's 360-degree, panoramic view helped realize the quality of a "RETREAT." The work, selected the winner in a unanimous decision, was also rated highly for allowing residents to choose the type of scenery they favored at will.
In his general comments, jury president, Kengo Kuma said, "It is no simple task to realize such a radical idea. I look forward to seeing this extremely clever concept come to fruition with the support of LIXIL and Taiki-cho. And on a personal level, I also have great expectations for its completion." Later, in the award ceremony, Ana Garcia Puyol, Thomas Sherman, and Takuya Iwamura, representing Harvard University, said, "It was a great pleasure to take part in this year's competition. We would first like to express our deepest gratitude to the judge for choosing us as the winning team. It was through the kindness of our teachers and many others that we were able to carry out the entire process. Many challenges still lie ahead, but we are also looking forward to staying in 'HORIZON HOUSE' after it is completed."
With support from Kengo Kuma & Associates, the team will arrive at a final design for "HORIZON HOUSE", and the work is scheduled to be built in late October 2013 on a site at Memu Meadows, located in Taiki-cho, Hokkaido.
URL: http://www.lixiljsfound.or.jp/category/1839540.html