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Living Reef Výstavní design by Daisuke Nagatomo and Minnie Jan

Living Reef Výstavní design by Daisuke Nagatomo and Minnie Jan is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Železná cena A' Design Award in Udržitelný produkt Competition Category.


ŽelezoUdržitelný produkt· 2026

Living Reef Výstavní design

by Daisuke Nagatomo and Minnie Jan

Client: Misosoupdesign

Železná cena A' Design Award Winner in Udržitelný produkt Category

Colors

The Design

About Living Reef Výstavní design

Living Reef je veřejná výstava, která prezentuje výzkum v oblasti udržitelného designu. Výstava představuje práce vytvořené 3D tiskem metodou Direct Ink Writing a z cirkulárních materiálů, včetně recyklované suspenze, nízkouhlíkového cementu a jílu. Malé vypálené keramické prototypy a velké tištěné komponenty jsou vystaveny na podstavcích a v uzavřených vitrínách. Uspořádání výstavy sleduje jasnou trasu, od vývoje konceptu a digitálního modelování přes materiálové testy a limity výroby až po finální prototypy. Cílem je vysvětlit, jak může designové vzdělávání podpořit cirkulární využití materiálů a obnovu korálových útesů.

The Recognition

About the Železná cena A' Design Award

Living Reef Výstavní design je vítězem Železné ceny A' Design Award, prestižního uznání udělovaného dobrým designům, které splňují profesní a průmyslové požadavky očekávané od dobře navržených výtvorů. Železní vítězové prokazují velké dovednosti, vysokou specializaci, odborné porozumění a tvůrčí kapacitu svých tvůrců. Očekává se, že Living Reef Výstavní design bude vysoce ceněným, obdivovaným a oblíbeným výtvorem, který je praktický a inovativní. Tento design, který získal Železnou cenu A' Design Award, integruje osvědčené postupy odvětví a má kompetentní technické vlastnosti spojené s know-how a talentem. Living Reef Výstavní design je vážen pro svou důkladnost a je navržen tak, aby poskytoval zlepšení kvality života, která pomáhají činit svět lepším místem.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties
LivingReef Exhibition is a public facing exhibition that documents and displays the outcomes of an international university initiative on sustainable design using Direct Ink Writing DIW 3D printing with circular materials. Instead of presenting only finished objects, the exhibition makes the full research and education workflow visible, from concept development and AI assisted modeling to material trials, fabrication constraints, iteration, and final prototypes.
Dimensions & Packaging
The exhibition includes small scale fired clay prototypes and large scale printed components made with recycled materials. Forms emphasize porosity, modularity, and self supporting geometry. Objects are displayed on museum grade plinths and enclosed cabinets. All components are designed for safe transport, installation, and public viewing within a gallery environment.
Tags
Sustainable Design, Circular Materials, 3D Printing, Design Education, Coral Restoration, Digital Fabrication, University Collaboration
Production Technology
Direct Ink Writing DIW 3D printing, AI assisted 3D modeling, parametric design, digital fabrication, circular materials, recycled C Slurry, low carbon cement, clay based 3D printing, large scale additive manufacturing, sustainable design education
Design Challenge
The challenge was to convert a complex research program into an exhibition that is technically accurate, publicly accessible, and visually coherent. Circular materials behave unpredictably during printing, requiring repeated testing and geometry revision. The project also required integrating outcomes from multiple universities into one clear narrative while presenting both successes and failures as part of sustainable design learning.
Research
LivingReef is an international research and education initiative exploring sustainable design through DIW 3D printing, circular materials, and AI assisted workflows. The exhibition presents physical outcomes and process documentation from cross university workshops, showing how waste derived materials can be transformed into functional prototypes. The project highlights design education as a driver of circular economy practices and environmental awareness.
Inspiration
The exhibition is inspired by two parallel needs. First, coral reef systems are fragile and require new restoration approaches that can be locally adaptable. Second, higher education must respond to decarbonization and digital transformation by teaching designers to work with low waste processes and circular resources. LivingReef translates these needs into a tangible public narrative.
Project Duration
Project duration: 2025
Workshops: Fukuoka Japan and Tainan Taiwan
Exhibition dates: 2025 10 17 to 2025 10 20
Exhibition venue: NTNU Art Museum, Taipei, Taiwan
Operation Flow
The exhibition guides visitors through a clear narrative flow: project background, cross university collaboration, digital modeling, material testing, fabrication challenges, and final outcomes. Interaction is educational and visual, using physical prototypes, process images, and concise labels. Visitors learn how sustainable design evolves through iteration, material limits, and collaboration.
Team Members
Shuenn-Ren Liou
Kazuya Saito

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