Catch The Wind 集合住宅 by Shigeki Kumazawa is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award 銀賞 in 建築・建物・構造物デザイン Competition Category.
銀建築· 2025
Catch The Wind 集合住宅
Client: Seiwa Corporation
A' Design Award 銀賞 Winner in 建築 Category
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #158996The Design
About Catch The Wind 集合住宅
「Catch The Wind」は都市中心部に位置する賃貸集合住宅である。鉄筋コンクリート造14階建てのこの建物は、風を捉えて室内へと導く立体的なバルコニーを特徴としている。取り込まれた新鮮な空気はクローゼットや浴室の天井内に設けられたチャンバーを通って循環し、可変式の換気口から排出されることで、湿度を下げ、室内の空気環境を向上させる。既製の汎用部材を用いることで、経済的な施工を実現している。高密度な都市環境において、居住者と屋外とのつながりを強めることを目指した設計である。
The Recognition
About the A' Design Award 銀賞
Catch The Wind 集合住宅は、見事で印象的なハイエンドのデザインに授与される、非常に権威ある評価である A' Design Award 銀賞の受賞作品です。銀賞の受賞作品は、きわめて輝かしく創造性に富んだ作品であり、デザイナーの傑出した専門知識、才能、洞察力を示しています。Catch The Wind 集合住宅は、素晴らしい代表作であり、驚くほどプロフェッショナルで、深く革新的であることが期待されます。この A' Design Award 銀賞を受賞したデザインは、非常に注目すべき称賛される発明であり、芸術・科学・デザイン・技術の境界に寄与し、それを前進させます。Catch The Wind 集合住宅は、多くの人に羨まれる創造物であり、欲求を呼び覚まし、前向きな感情をもたらし、驚きと感嘆を灯します。
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
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.
