Living Reef Eksposysjeûntwerp by Daisuke Nagatomo and Minnie Jan is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award yn Izer in Duorsume Produkten, Projekten en Grien Ûntwerp Competition Category.
IzerDuorsum Produkt· 2026
Living Reef Eksposysjeûntwerp
by Daisuke Nagatomo and Minnie Jan
Client: Misosoupdesign
A' Design Award yn Izer Winner in Duorsum Produkt Category
- 8,435
- Verified Award Winner
- Verify Award Status for #180506
The Design
About Living Reef Eksposysjeûntwerp
Living Reef is in publike eksposysje dy't ûndersyk nei duorsum ûntwerp presintearret. De eksposysje toant wurk makke mei Direct Ink Writing 3D-printsjen en sirkulêre materialen, wêrûnder recycled slib, semint mei leech koalstofgehalte en klaai. Lytsskalige bakte klaaiprototypen en grutte printe ûnderdielen wurde toand op sokkels en yn ôfsletten kasten. De yndieling folget in dúdlike rûte, fan konseptûntwikkeling en digitaal modellearjen oant materiaaltests, fabrikaazjegrinzen en definitive prototypen. It doel is út te lizzen hoe't ûntwerpûnderwiis it sirkulêr brûken fan materialen en it herstel fan koraalriffen stypje kin.
The Recognition
About the A' Design Award yn Izer
Living Reef Eksposysjeûntwerp is in winner fan de A' Design Award yn Izer, in prestisjeuze erkenning foar goede ûntwerpen dy't foldogge oan de profesjonele en yndustriële easken dy't ferwachte wurde fan goed ûntwurpen skeppings. Izerwinners litte grutte feardigens, hege spesjalisaasje, deskundich begryp en kreatyf fermogen fan har makkers sjen. Fan Living Reef Eksposysjeûntwerp wurdt ferwachte dat it in tige heech achte, bewûndere en dierbere skepping is dy't praktysk en ynnovatyf is. Dit winnende ûntwerp fan de A' Design Award yn Izer yntegrearret de bêste praktiken fan de sektor en hat feardige technyske skaaimerken ferbûn mei kennis en talint. Living Reef Eksposysjeûntwerp wurdt respektearre foar syn yngeandens en is ûntwurpen om ferbetteringen fan de kwaliteit fan it libben te leverjen dy't helpe de wrâld ta in bettere plak te meitsjen.
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
Sponsored
Explore Beyond Designers.org
Discover products, services and opportunities from our advertising partners.
More to Explore
Related Designs
Explore more award-winning designs from the same category, selected by merit.
