Catch The Wind Ụlọ Obibi Nwere Ọtụtụ Ngalaba by Shigeki Kumazawa

Catch The Wind Ụlọ Obibi Nwere Ọtụtụ Ngalaba by Shigeki Kumazawa is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Ọlaọcha in Nhazi Ụlọ Owu, Ụlọ na Ihe Owuwu Competition Category.

ỌlaọchaỤlọ Owu· 2025

Catch The Wind Ụlọ Obibi Nwere Ọtụtụ Ngalaba

by Shigeki Kumazawa

Client: Seiwa Corporation

Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Ọlaọcha Winner in Ụlọ Owu Category

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The Design

About Catch The Wind Ụlọ Obibi Nwere Ọtụtụ Ngalaba

Catch The Wind bụ ogige ụlọ mgbazinye dị n'ebe etiti obodo mepere emepe. Ụlọ ahụ nwere okpukpu iri na anọ nke e ji kọnkịrị e mere ka o sie ike wuo, ma o nwere mbara ihu ndị dị n'ụdị akụkụ atọ nke na-ejide ifufe ma na-eduzi ya n'ime ụlọ. Ikuku dị ọhụrụ na-agagharị site n'ọnụ ụlọ ndị dị n'elu ụlọ nke ime ụlọ nchekwa akwa na ụlọ ịsa ahụ tupu ọ pụọ site n'oghere ikuku ndị a na-agbanwe agbanwe, nke na-ebelata mmiri mmiri dị n'ikuku ma na-eme ka ikuku dị n'ime ụlọ dịkwuo mma. Iji ihe ndị a na-ere n'ahịa a na-ahụkarị mere ka owuwu ya daa ọnụ ahịa. Ebumnobi nke nhazi a bụ ime ka njikọ dị n'etiti ndị bi n'ụlọ ahụ na ihe ndị dị n'èzí sikwuo ike n'ime obodo mepere emepe jupụtara na mmadụ.

The Recognition

About the Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Ọlaọcha

Catch The Wind Ụlọ Obibi Nwere Ọtụtụ Ngalaba meriri A' Design Award nke Ọlaọcha, nnabata dị oke ugwu e nyere design ndị dị n'ọkwa kachasị elu, mara mma ma na-eju anya. Ndị meriri na Ọlaọcha bụ ọrụ na-egbu maramara nke ukwuu ma dị oke nzụlite nke na-egosi ọmarịcha ihe ọmụma, talent na nghọta nke ndị designer ha. A na-atụ anya na Catch The Wind Ụlọ Obibi Nwere Ọtụtụ Ngalaba ga-abụ ọrụ dị ịtụnanya, ihe nlereanya, nke dị oke ọrụ ma dị omimi n'ihe ọhụrụ. Design a meriri A' Design Award nke Ọlaọcha bụ ihe e mepụtara dị oke ịrịba ama, nke a na-eto nke na-erite uru ma na-ebuga oke nka, sayensị, design na teknụzụ n'ihu. Catch The Wind Ụlọ Obibi Nwere Ọtụtụ Ngalaba bụ ihe e kere eke ọtụtụ ndị na-ekwo ekworo ya nke na-akpali ọchịchọ, na-eweta mmetụta ọma ma na-akpali ịtụnanya.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Catch The Wind is a centrally located rental housing complex featuring an innovative balcony design to boost urban connection and airflow. Unlike traditional balconies, its three dimensional structure captures wind, circulating fresh air through chambers in closet and bathroom ceilings to improve indoor air quality. This economical approach uses off the shelf materials, addressing post pandemic social and environmental needs by enhancing resident interaction with the outdoors.
Dimensions & Packaging: Catch The Wind project is a 14 story reinforced concrete structure designed for urban rental housing. The site area is 367.70 sqm, with a building area of 220.06 sqm and a total floor area of 2475.74 sqm. The building reaches a maximum height of 42.59 meters. Its structural system prioritizes durability and seismic resilience, contributing to sustainability through architectural longevity and improved living environments.　
Tags: Urban housing, airflow management, natural ventilation, sustainable architecture, urban connection, cost-efficient design, post-pandemic housing, balcony design,
Production Technology: Catch The Wind employs a three dimensional balcony structure optimized for urban airflow management. Standardized, off-the-shelf components were strategically used to balance cost efficiency with high performance. The design integrates airflow chambers within closets and unit bath ceilings, creating natural ventilation that circulates through the space. The structural framework utilizes reinforced concrete for durability, while modular fittings enable streamlined assembly, ensuring resilience and ease of maintenance in high-density urban environments.
Design Challenge: The most challenging aspect of this design was encouraging residents to consciously engage with ventilation in a natural and effortless way. In an urban environment, where ventilation is often difficult, it was crucial to create a design that enabled residents to seamlessly incorporate the flow of air into their daily lives. The wind-capturing balconies provide opportunities for residents to naturally bring fresh air into their living spaces, making it easier to be mindful of ventilation. To achieve this, factors such as airflow and privacy considerations were carefully balanced.
Research: Research Objectives: Explore innovative solutions for natural ventilation and improved urban living in high-density areas.
Participants: Architects, urban planners, and engineers.
Results: Research showed that 3D balcony systems improve ventilation, lower humidity, and enhance comfort. These findings shaped designs to channel wind effectively into living spaces.
Impacts: This approach promotes sustainable living by improving air quality, cutting energy costs, and creating healthier urban housing models.
Inspiration: The idea arose from noticing the gap between urban rental housing and its surroundings. Many apartments feel cut off from nature, leading to stagnant air and limited outdoor interaction. To improve residents' quality of life, we envisioned a solution introducing natural airflow and urban engagement via innovative balcony design. We aimed to create healthier, more connected living while emphasizing the importance of fresh air and nature, blending functionality with environmental sensitivity.
Project Duration: This project, completed in 2023, is located in the central area of Nagoya City, Japan, a bustling urban hub surrounded by offices and residential buildings. Catch The Wind sits directly in front of an elementary school, blending into a vibrant community where people of various generations live and interact. Its strategic location aims to enhance the urban living experience while fostering connections between residents and their environment.
Operation Flow: Catch The Wind enhances living by improving airflow and connection to the outdoors. The three-dimensional balconies are designed to catch and channel wind through the building, creating natural ventilation. Residents experience fresher air as it flows through closets and bathrooms before exiting via adjustable vents. This design reduces humidity, improves air quality, and fosters a healthier, more comfortable indoor environment, blending the inside and outside seamlessly.
Patents: non
Image Credits: Photographer:Yasuko Okamura