Living Reef Diseño de exposición by Daisuke Nagatomo and Minnie Jan is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award de Hierro in Diseño de Producto Sostenible Competition Category.
HierroProducto Sostenible· 2026
Living Reef Diseño de exposición
by Daisuke Nagatomo and Minnie Jan
Client: Misosoupdesign
A' Design Award de Hierro Winner in Producto Sostenible Category
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The Design
About Living Reef Diseño de exposición
Living Reef es una exposición pública que presenta una investigación sobre diseño sostenible. La muestra reúne trabajos realizados con impresión 3D por Escritura Directa de Tinta (Direct Ink Writing) y materiales circulares, entre ellos lodos reciclados, cemento de bajas emisiones de carbono y arcilla. Se exhiben prototipos de arcilla cocida a pequeña escala y componentes impresos de gran formato sobre pedestales y en vitrinas cerradas. La disposición sigue un recorrido claro, desde el desarrollo del concepto y el modelado digital hasta los ensayos de materiales, los límites de fabricación y los prototipos finales. El objetivo es explicar cómo la educación en diseño puede impulsar el uso circular de los materiales y la restauración de los arrecifes de coral.
The Recognition
About the A' Design Award de Hierro
Living Reef Diseño de exposición ha ganado el A' Design Award de Hierro, un reconocimiento prestigioso concedido a buenos diseños que cumplen los requisitos profesionales e industriales que se esperan de creaciones bien diseñadas. Los ganadores de Hierro demuestran gran habilidad, alta especialización, comprensión experta y capacidad creativa de sus creadores. Se espera que Living Reef Diseño de exposición sea una creación muy apreciada, admirada y querida, práctica e innovadora. Este diseño ganador del A' Design Award de Hierro integra las mejores prácticas del sector y tiene características técnicas competentes unidas a conocimiento práctico y talento. Living Reef Diseño de exposición es respetado por su minuciosidad y está concebido para aportar mejoras en la calidad de vida que ayudan a hacer del mundo un lugar mejor.
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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