The Good Design Award 2024 celebrated numerous outstanding designs this year. Among the winners, Daiwa House Industry, Tokyu Land Corporation, and Toyota Motor Corporation stood out with their innovative approaches in creating sustainable and community-driven projects.
①”Kurotsuru Inari Shrine + Azheim Ota Central” by Daiwa House: A Symbol of Regional Revitalization
Daiwa House Industry’s “Kurotsuru Inari Shrine + Azheim Ota Central” is a unique urban regeneration project combining a shrine with a senior living facility. Selected as one of the Best 100 in the 2024 Good Design Awards, the project successfully lifted the designation of a special landslide hazard zone (Red Zone) in Tokyo’s Ota Ward. The key feature of this project is the seamless integration of the shrine and senior home through a shared “festival square,” where both residents and locals can interact. The design allows elderly residents to enjoy traditional festivals from their balconies, creating a sense of connection with the local culture.
This project stands out as a rare example of collaboration between local residents and developers, preserving historical elements such as sacred trees and Oya stone in the design. As a model for future urban developments, this initiative highlights the importance of community-driven projects in urban spaces.
②Tokyu Land’s “GREEN AGENDA for BRANZ” Promoting Urban Greening and Biodiversity
Tokyu Land Corporation’s “GREEN AGENDA for BRANZ” focuses on a groundbreaking landscape management plan aimed at preserving urban biodiversity. The project implements a ten-year greenery management program for condominiums, involving residents directly in environmental conservation efforts. Recognized as one of the Best 100 in the 2024 Good Design Awards, the project sets a new standard for sustainable urban greening by encouraging residents to take an active role in maintaining green spaces, ultimately contributing to urban ecosystem preservation.
Here is the press release
③Toyota’s “Geological Design”: Pioneering a Zero-Waste Approach to Manufacturing
Toyota’s “Geological Design” project is a pioneering initiative focused on “complete resource recycling.” This project rethinks the entire life cycle of a car—from production to disposal—by considering material choices and incorporating upcycling processes. Selected as one of the Best 100 in the 2024 Good Design Awards, it also stands out for its collaboration with local artisans and artists to create new value from waste materials. Toyota’s vision of “zero waste manufacturing” is reshaping the automotive industry’s environmental impact and expanding the potential for upcycled materials.
Here is the press release