Living Reef Idizayini Yombukiso by Daisuke Nagatomo and Minnie Jan is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Umklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award in Umkhiqizo Oqhubekayo Competition Category.
InsimbiUmkhiqizo Oqhubekayo· 2026
Living Reef Idizayini Yombukiso
by Daisuke Nagatomo and Minnie Jan
Client: Misosoupdesign
Umklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award Winner in Umkhiqizo Oqhubekayo Category
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The Design
About Living Reef Idizayini Yombukiso
I-Living Reef ingumbukiso womphakathi owethula ucwaningo ngedizayini esimeme. Umbukiso ukhombisa umsebenzi owenziwe nge-Direct Ink Writing 3D printing kanye nezinto ezisetshenziswa ngokujikeleza, okuhlanganisa i-slurry evuselelwe, usimende onekhabhoni ephansi kanye nobumba. Amaphrothothayipi obumba amancane ashisiwe kanye nezingxenye ezinkulu eziphrintiwe zikhonjiswa phezu kwezinsika nasemakhabetheni avaliwe. Ukuhleleka kulandela indlela ecacile, kusukela ekuthuthukisweni komqondo nokwakhiwa kwamamodeli edijithali kuya ekuhlolweni kwezinto, imikhawulo yokukhiqiza kanye namaphrothothayipi okugcina. Inhloso ukuchaza ukuthi imfundo yedizayini ingakusekela kanjani ukusetshenziswa kwezinto ngokujikeleza kanye nokubuyiselwa kwamagquma amakhorali.
The Recognition
About the Umklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award
Living Reef Idizayini Yombukiso iwinile uMklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award, ukwaziswa okuhloniphekile okunikezwa imiklamo emihle ehlangabezana nezidingo zobungcweti nezemboni ezilindelekile ezimpahleni ezihlelwe kahle. Abawinile beNsimbi babonisa ikhono elikhulu, ubungcweti obuphezulu, ukuqonda kochwepheshe namandla okudala abadali babo. Living Reef Idizayini Yombukiso ilindeleke ukuba ibe yinto exatshwa kakhulu, edunyiswayo nethandwayo esebenzayo nenezinto ezintsha. Lo mklamo owinile uMklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award uhlanganisa izindlela ezinhle kakhulu zemboni futhi unezimfanelo zobuchwepheshe ezifanelekile ezihlanganiswe nolwazi nethalente. Living Reef Idizayini Yombukiso iyahlonishwa ngenxa yokucophelela kwayo futhi ihlelelwe ukulethela izinguquko zomgangatho wempilo ezisiza ukwenza umhlaba ube yindawo engcono.
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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