[2015 concept design Awards] For the second time in four years, we have won both the Grand Prize and Gold Award at concept design for Asia Awards

At the concept design for Asia Awards 2015, which is organized by the Hong Kong concept design Centre (HKDC) and recognizes the most influential and outstanding concept design in Asia, NOMURA Co.,Ltd. Ryuichi Okuda was responsible for the design of the "World Heritage Site Himeji Castle Main Tower Preservation and Restoration Project: displays Planning and Signage Design" (client: Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture), winning both the Grand Award, the highest award, and the Gold Award in environmental design category. This is the second time in the past four years that a design has won both the Grand Award and the Gold Award, following the "Palace Hotel Tokyo Chapel" in 2012.

 

In addition, the Osaka International Peace Center (designed by Yoshinaga Mitsuhide) and the Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum (designed by Mitsunaga Masaaki and Akamine Takeo), for which we were in charge of creating the spaces, were also selected for the Merit Award in environmental design (Cultural, Public and displays Space) category of the awards.

 

Himeji Castle, a World Heritage Site and National Treasure, underwent preservation and restoration work for approximately five years, beginning in the fall of 2009. NOMURA Co.,Ltd. was responsible for the design of displays and signs, which were divided into two phases. In the first phase, the castle was surrounded by a temporary enclosure depicting Himeji Castle, and an observation space was set up inside, allowing the construction process to be constantly open to the public. This was a rare displays, even in the world. The second phase, which began in 2015 after the completion of renovations, introduced the latest technology, Augmented Reality (AR), to the explanations, creating an intangible displays that allowed visitors to see the invisible, recreating the original state of the castle. The introduction of cutting-edge technology opened a new door to this World Heritage Site, creating a new style of tourism and displays concept design that transcends time. Nomura Co., Ltd. has also been entrusted with the management and operation of the castle since its grand opening.

 

This year's concept design for Asia Awards received approximately 800 entries, with 185 works selected. In addition to three special awards, the awards consist of 10 Grand Prizes selected in 18 concept design categories, as well as category awards including Gold, Silver, Bronze and Merit Awards.

 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who cooperated with us, including our clients.

 

We will continue to create environments that attract customers based on consumer ideas, always working to solve our customers' problems and meet their requests, providing optimal spaces that bring Delight and Passion.

 

[What are concept design for Asia Awards?]

The concept design Asia Awards, organized by the Hong Kong concept design Centre (HKDC), is a concept design event that is highly acclaimed by designers and companies not only in Asia but also around the world. It was launched in 2003 with the aim of raising the value of "excellent concept design" as an important factor in leading business to success and forming a sustainable society. The awards are assessed on the basis of "cultural interest," "sustainability," "tradition and technology," and "impact on Asian society," and evaluate concept design embody Asian aesthetics and have the potential to have a global impact and become a new trend in concept design.

http://www.dfaa.dfaawards.com/

http://www.dfaa.dfaawards.com/#!2015/c242x