Sumu Yakushima Wenning troch Tsukasa Ono

Sumu Yakushima Wenning troch Tsukasa Ono is in heech wurdearre winner fan de tige prestizjeuze 2026 A' Design Award yn Brûns yn de kompetysje-kategory Arsjitektuer, Gebou en Struktuerûntwerp.

BrûnsArsjitektuer· 2026

Sumu Yakushima Wenning

troch Tsukasa Ono

Klant: tono Inc.

A' Design Award yn Brûns Winner yn de kategory Arsjitektuer

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Ferifiearre Priiswinner

Ferifiearje Prisstatus foar #181214

Besykje Side Besjoch by A' Design Award Parseberjocht Priisbadge

Kleuren

It Untwerp

Oer Sumu Yakushima Wenning

Sumu Yakushima past regenerative arsjitektuer ta, in nije ûntwerpoanpak dy't tradisjonele Japanske sivile technyk kombinearret mei hjoeddeistige technology. It projekt fersterket de bioferskaat troch it ûndergrûnske miljeu te ûntwerpen en de gebouwen te yntegrearjen yn in oanlein mycelium-netwurk. De gebouwen en dekken binne ferhege om de natuerlike streaming fan lucht en wetter te behâlden, sadat de wyn frij sirkulearje kin tusken de bergen en de see. De wenning funksjonearret folslein off-grid en fertrout op sinne-enerzjy en brânhout as har wichtichste enerzjyboarnen.

De Erkenning

Oer de A' Design Award yn Brûns

Sumu Yakushima Wenning is in winner fan de A' Design Award yn Brûns, in heech prestisjeuze erkenning foar treflike ûntwerpen dy't har ûnderskiede troch kreativiteit, fernuft en tûkens. Brûnswinners binne tige feardige en opfallend kreative artefakten dy't de grutte ûnderfining, ferbylding en betochtsumens fan har ûntwerpers befêstigje. Fan Sumu Yakushima Wenning wurdt ferwachte dat it in tige heech achte, bewûndere en dierber objekt is dat opmerklik profesjoneel en ynnovatyf is. Dit winnende ûntwerp fan de A' Design Award yn Brûns yntegrearret de bêste praktiken yn keunst, wittenskip, ûntwerp en technology en is treflik om syn omtinken foar detail. Sumu Yakushima Wenning foldocht behoeften prachtich, reitsjet winsken, betsjoeveret gefoelens en sprekt nijsgjirrigens oan.

Efter it Untwerp

Parsepakket

Credits, teamleden en technyske details levere troch de ûntwerper.

Unike Eigenskippen: Yakushima Island is a natural paradise in southern Japan where abundant rainfall onto 2,000-meter peaks nurtures dense forests home to millennium-old Japanese cedar.
This innovative housing co-op applies Regenerative architecture to reconceptualize the relationship between human habitation and this nature. The name Sumu means both to live and to become clear, expressing its core concept of living in a way that positively impacts the landscape.
Ofmjittingen & Ferpakking: The building area: 162m2.
Labels: Regenerative, Sustainable, Nature positive, Environmental
Produksjetechnology: Burned wood is placed under the foundations, and carbonized surfaces promote the growth of mycelium, joining the buildings to the soil network. This promotes a symbiotic effect whereby tree roots grow under the buildings and support the soil.
Sumu comprises several separate buildings to enable a layout that respects the original natural landscape. The buildings protect the tree roots and reduce the impact of the wind, while stones supply minerals to the surrounding soil and foster tree growth. Tree roots passing under the buildings support the soil, an act of symbiosis between nature and architecture.

The buildings are raised, dispersing wind flowing between mountain and sea without blocking it. This allows the forest to breathe, promoting healthy air and water circulation. Despite the humid climate, this ventilation prevents moisture accumulation that may damage the buildings.

The off-grid kitchen made with local cedar features a solar-powered radiant heat cooker, while water is drawn from the river basin, then cleaned and returned to nature after use.
Lights made from local soil fill rooms with light embodying the color of the surrounding earth, and plaster made from a hemp charcoal/EM bacteria mixture provides healthy, comfortable spaces by preventing putrefactive bacteria.
Untwerpútdaging: While the global pursuit of sustainability is highly commendable, in architecture it is generally understood as an effort to reduce negative impacts rather than to generate positive ones. This assumption stems from viewing architecture as an isolated object. In reality, every building site already contains an existing ecosystem. The project sought ways for architecture to connect with and contribute to the regeneration of that ecosystem.

It was an unprecedented challenge, and until measurable results began to appear, the process relied on careful observation, research, and repeated trial and error. In Japan, very few practitioners have direct experience with this construction method. Drawing from their knowledge, the team gradually developed its own methodology. Communicating appropriate instructions to local craftspeople was also a significant task.

After completion, however, positive outcomes began to emerge, as described earlier, and verification of the method is still ongoing.
Undersyk: Regenerative architecture is a method of building that works with soil microorganisms, supporting healthier conditions for surrounding plant life. It applies, in a contemporary way, traditional Japanese civil engineering knowledge that has largely been forgotten.

To examine the effectiveness of this approach, three methods were used.

First, the construction site itself was deliberately selected. The building was placed on the most degraded and depleted area within the property. The land was overgrown with weeds to the point that it was difficult to enter, mosquitoes were abundant, and the trees were weak, with thinning trunks and falling leaves. The structure was positioned in close relationship to these struggling trees. After construction, the trees showed clear signs of recovery and renewed vitality.

Second, in order to visualize the underground mycelial network, experiments were conducted that identified the presence of electrical activity within the soil. Evidence indicated that trees on either side of the building were connected through electrical signals transmitted underground.

Third, microbial diversity was analyzed. Soil samples were collected both from the surrounding forest—where no intervention had taken place—and from the center of the Sumu site. The results showed that microbial diversity at Sumu was nearly three times greater than that of the surrounding untreated forest.

These findings suggest that human involvement can contribute to ecological enrichment. Beyond architectural technique, this approach may also influence how humanity understands its role within the Earth’s living systems.
Ynspiraasje: Sumu is a place for tending to nature while reflecting on values.
It applies Regenerative architecture, a new approach developed by the designers that combines traditional Japanese civil engineering with contemporary technology.
Going beyond simply preserving nature, key considerations in the design are:
1. Designing the underground environment
2. Orientating buildings based on in-depth understanding of water and air flows
3. Creating an ongoing connection with nature through architecture
Projektdoer: Duration：
The project began in 2020, with the first phase of construction expected to be completed in 2022. Since then, the project has continued to expand its scope of activities, including the expansion of the deck, regenerative activities, and soft aspects such as education.
Location: Yakushima island, Kagoshima, Japan
Operaasjestreamferrin: True to its concept of making a positive impact by living among nature, Sumu residents adopt a “regenerative lifestyle” that enhances the environment through everyday activities, from collecting driftwood for use as firewood to clearing grass to allow cool air to flow through in a way that benefits the landscape.
Sumu's design changes our relationship with nature. It enables residents to discover new possibilities for interacting with nature and adapt the way they think and act, building relationships with nature that transcend generations. Its unique approach has the potential to accelerate environmental initiatives if more widely applied.
Ofbyldingskrediten: Photo: Rui Nishi