We would like to take this opportunity to thank all
participants for submitting so many wonderful proposals
to the 3rd DESIGNTOPE Design Competition. In this contest,
the entries were subject to careful and impartial evaluation,
not by a one-man jury, but by 4 corporate jury members
representing Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd., Shikoku
Corp., YKK AP, Inc., and Takenaka Seisakusyo, Co. Ltd.
headed by the Jury Chair, Masayuki Kurokawa.
We are most happy to report the receipt of 74 entries
from over 10 nations worldwide.
Please understand that this announcement of winners
is not accompanied by any graphic representations of
the entries, as they are currently under careful review
by each jury corporation in terms of merchandizing.
We are looking forward to sharing the exciting graphic
images with you, which should be ready for release in
mid-January, 2004.
The report after the announcement of the
award winning works
First of all, we have to apologize to you all that
the presentation of the images of the award winning
works , which was planned to be given in the middle
of January, has been delayed for such a long time.
After the announcement of the award winning works
last December, the meetings were held by sponsoring
Takenaka Ltd. and other three supporting companies
concerning the commercialization of the works. Unfortunately
the conclusion of the meetings was that none of the
works presented is to be commercialized this time.
However, Takenaka Ltd. later decided to apply the
award winning works for the Commission Program for
Creative Designs administered by Japan Design Protection
Association to make positive future promotions of
the works and their concepts.
Now we'd like to express our sincere gratitude for
a number of applications for the competition this
time. We are planning to hold the second Gates &
Fences Competition this year, too. We are expecting
to receive a lot of wonderful ideas from many people
that may bring about a revolution of Gates &Fences
in the future.
Jury evaluation
Masayuki Kurokawa
Proposals rich in concept and image, and highly realistic
proposals. Many proposals of both types were received,
each with tremendous appeal in their individual ways.
The proposal winning the Grand Prix is an expression
of elegantly flowing beauty, leaving the imprint of
man splendidly circumventing the often anti-human
aspect inherent to the fence. On the other hand, while
the construct of the Follow-up to the Grand Prix is
an immediately marketable structure, the light-weight
translucent box and the soil used as filling endows
it with appropriate weight allowing for the creation
of a fence simply by placing it in position. Including
the translucency that allows the viewer to see even
the root system within the soil, the proposal is superb
with many hidden implications.
This competition was, in reality, a contest in pursuit
of the possibilities of product development. The final
selection of winners is the product of serious consideration
in terms of marketability and extensive deliberation
by the directors in charge of development from each
of the industries actually marketing numerous gates
and fences, in the search for proposals that are also
expressions of exceptional concepts carrying rich
implications.
I would like to express my deep respect and appreciation
to the sincere quest in pursuit of form demonstrated
by so many of the entrants.
Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
Shinichiro Sugiyama
Our expectation behind the theme of this contest,
Gates and Fences, was for marketable concepts taking
into account interaction between people, life, and
the environment. A prominent tendency among many of
the proposals received was the concept of symbiosis
with plants.
Among such entries, the Grand Prix winner Wave is
an excellent product communicating the comfort and
excitement the author felt as a child into the hearts
of the people seeing or touching the work. The material
first constructed as a plane then weaving out into
3-dimensional curves, displays beauty reminiscent
of a wire-frame chair. CouldnÕt the highly refined
wave imbue natural movement to the streets, drawing
the interest of the pedestrian, and thus contribute
to communication? From the manufacturerÕs standpoint,
there is need to pursue the type of wave which would
blend beautifully into the streets. Nevertheless,
the product is both highly realistic and appealing.
On the other hand, the winner of the Runner-up to
the Grand Prix, Envi, is a form from which we expect
hitherto unseen design possibilities, by the methodology
of placing plants inside transparent boxes, and stacking
them. There is some concern regarding how the atmosphere
created by the visual representation of plants inside
soil or water will reflect upon exterior appearance
or the passing pedestrian. But this should be resolvable
by plant selection and placement. Extant technology
is fully sufficient for marketing the boxes themselves
as an industrial product. However, the difficulty
of industrializing plants remain, meaning that the
success of this proposal will most likely depend on
placing it in the hands of someone with a thorough
understanding of plants.
Shikoku Corp.
Kenji Tada
Looking back over this Competition, it is seen that
many of the proposals were presentations of 3-dimensional
concepts, and that many incorporated greenery in such
ways as to enable the co-existence of plants and flowers
with security. Among the entries, unique concepts
were seen, such as creating a concave surface and
using water to fulfill the function of a fence in
place of the usual vertical presentation creating
the image of barring the entry of people.
The Wave, winner of the Grand Prix, is a proposal
of a dynamic design by which the common mesh-type
fence undergoes transformation by the action of people
leaning upon it. It is an indication of how to present
the image of the standardized, uniform, and spindly
fence in a 3-dimensional, rhythmical, and enjoyable
manner. In terms of merchandizing, the proposal presents
considerable difficulty relative to material selection
and structure inherent to the movement involved. However,
the proposal was given high evaluation as a product
capable of eradicating the current image of fences,
in light of creating the fences of the future.
Additionally, the Runner-up to the Grand Prix is a
proposal of unit construction taking advantage of
the planter function of the containers, and is excellent
for the appeal created by giving translucency to the
planters themselves, together with the superb utility
of design enabled by combining the flabellate units.
YKK AP, Inc.
Ken Toyooka
The international competition over the Internet this
time was able to draw participation from over 10 nations
abroad, making it possible to regard it as a truly
international contest. In addition, many of the entries
were expressionFs of movement, taking full advantage
of the characteristics of this competition.
In the theme, Gates and Fences, my attention was
drawn to both the staging of the settings behind the
concept, and the nature of the contraptions, in terms
of separating entities such as place and area, public
and private, exterior and interior, and transition
along a time axis".
In terms of content, the proposals were greatly varied
from highly realistic proposals, those with emphasis
on conceptual image, those bespeaking further applications
and developments in themselves, and sheer pursuits
of the possibilitiesÑincluding many highly attractive
and intriguing proposals.
And among these entries, the Wave, winning the Grand
Prix, that evolved through the wish to directly express
a physical experience in early childhood, was highly
evaluated for alighting upon the permutation characteristic
of mesh materials, working with the concept of affinity
with mankind in the foreground in a way as if to imbue
the fence itself with life, holding numerous possibilities.
I was strongly drawn to Envi, the runner-up to the
Grand Prix, for the exciting concept of using transparent
materials and flexible materials such as gravel, sand,
and soil to stabilize and fuse the modules by their
own weight. The incorporation of greenery was also
interesting, which I believed may be an attempt by
the author to focus interest on the ecological structure
inherent to the root of plants.
Takenaka Seisakusyo, Co. Ltd.
Masaaki Kondoh
The significance of the international competition
for us this time was in proposing an international
web contest in which we, enjoying collaboration in
product development and manufacture as subcontractor,
could have our clientsMatsushita Electric Works, Ltd.,
YKK AP, Inc., and Shikoku Corp.join us as members
of the jury. Our expectation was for the birth of
new products from among the entries received. In this
competition, all entries, i.e., including those escaping
selection as winners were reviewed in terms of merchandizing,
and there were several such entries meriting consideration.
I believe the entry selected for the Grand Prix this
time was a good example of introducing ease and relaxation
as possibilities of the mesh material in addition
to its conventional partitioning function.
The Runner-up to the Grand Prix is a clean representation
of weight using translucent materials. Weight is a
representation of partitioning in itself, while the
green of plants imparts an element of comfort and
relaxation.
We are planning to continue holding further contests
in future. Please join us again, at which time we
will again be looking forward to receiving your wonderful
concepts and marketable productions.
Grand Prix Award
TitleFwave
EntrantFYuuki Tazaki (Japan)
Comments for the work
During my childhood, I found a steel mesh fence upon
which I could leave an imprint of myself by leaning
upon it. Moreover, I found being in the shape comfortable.
In this competition, Ifd like to propose a fence that
can be transformed by human activity. The fence has
the function of not only dividing the public from
the private, but also acts as an emotional interface
inspired by human action. Differing density of the
steel mesh is employed to express the "waves",
owing to the ease of bending the less dense areas,
which by so doing, endows the fence with expression
and human warmth.
Comments
I am truly exhilarated. I would like to express my
thanks to all my mentors, and to everyone concerned.
In particular, I am grateful to the Chairman of the
Jury, Mr. Masayuki Kurokawa, for appreciating the
possibilities inherent to this product.
Profile
Yuuki Tazaki
1977 Born in Matsuyama city, Ehime Prefecture
1978 Enrollment in the University of Massachusetts
at Boston
1979 Return to Japan; currently enrolled in the ICS
College of Arts, Dept. of Interior Design
Runner-up
TitleFenvi
EntrantFArkadiusz Szenfeld (Poland)
Comments for the work
Gates and fences are not only barriers between two
areas but can also be a method of displaying beauty
of the environment. This project expresses beauty
of nature by the colours and materials of nature.
Modules are made of transparent polypropylene by injecting
moulding. Placing one on another and one next to the
other, you can fluently arrange space. For stability,
there is the possibility of filling it. Placing natural
materials such as gravel, sand, and soil inside, gives
stability to the fence. These materials make up an
interesting composition of colours. You can create
abstract pictures. Additionally, tops are decorated
with flowers and plants. This can contribute to beautification
of the streets. There is also the possibility of putting
a wooden seat on top of the module to create a bench.
Inserting benches between flowered fences provides
the opportunity of rest to the pedestrian.
Comments
I feel so honored that my design was selected as Runner-up
in the Competition. I would like to thank you to the
Jury for the Grand Prix.
This prize is an evidence about my strong efforts
of creating human friendly thinks.
Once again thank you very much for the prize.
Profile
Arkadiusz Szenfeld
Born in 1973 in Poland.
Awarded first prize "Bench for Jyvaskyla"
in Finland in International Design Competition (1997).
Graduated Academy of Fine Arts in Cracov in 1999.
Now working at design Company in Cracov (Poland).
Excellence Awards: 5
TitleFCaterpillar fence
EntrantFHiromichi Hara (Japan)
Comments for the work
Gates and fences are relative to people, because man
always demands the relationship. This proposal is
a fence that gently expresses the person's behavior.
Structure like a caterpillar: The gate door can be
wound up and stored compactly. The ease of assembly
with bolts at the top and bottom of the fence also
allows for compact transportation and ready handling.
Comments
Being a challenge not requiring preparation of panels
and such enabled concentration of time on the proposal
itself. I believe it was the unique style of the competition
that allowed for ready participation, in the end leading
to the elevation of quality.
Profile
Hiromichi Hara
1992 @Graduated from Chiba Univ., Dept. of Industrial
Design
1994@Completion of masters course at Chiba Univ. Graduate
School, Dept. of Industrial Research
1993 @Environmental Design Institute, Co. Ltd.
2000@Establishment of the Hara Designing Office, Ltd.
2003@Assistant, Environmental Design Lab., Dept. of
Design and Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Chiba
Univ.
TitleFSPIRAL
EntrantFstudio ma:an (The Republic of Korea)
Comments for the work
The threshold between a gate and a fence is not so
much mere division ofcontrol devices as a phase-shifting
phenomenon that systematizes itsenvironment. The geometric
capacity of rolling spirals are explored in thisproject
to accommodate dynamic property of a gate/fence hybrid
andpoignantly vibrate the very ground that it has
supposedly intended tostabilize.
Five different cycles of steel coils (D=50mm) are
welded together to createthe hybrid. Each spiraling
coil has in itself inherent ability of fencingand
gating. It controls movement of passers by three-dimensionally
spiralingacross the length of its reach, thus creating
cyclic appearance of barriersand cross-overs. Integrated
coils with sequentially multiplying cyclesdensify
the effect of tentative zoning on adjacent environment.
Differentage groups and especiesf that exhibit a whole
spectrum of body sizesfilter through varying heights
of coils. Geometry merges with control ofusers and
tangential flow enhances the experience of the threshold.Predefined
function of a fence has been separation of fields
rather thanpromotion of dynamic flux between human
and nature. gSpiralh suggests morecommunicative and
permeable boundary to encourage interaction and flow
withthe help of precise filtering mechanism.
Comments
We thank the juries and Designtope for offering this
precious but pleasant opportunity with other competitors.
We wanted to create a pleasantly soft fence rather
than the conventional security fence by introducing
espiralf as a means to create permeable edges for
different groups of users such as animals (wild/domesticated),
children, and adults, and give them enjoyable experience
of crossing. We hope this simple but unique steel
tube construction could be realized easily.
Profile
studio ma:an since 2003
Sangmok Kim, partner
Born in 1975, Seoul
2003 Graduate, Columbia University, Master of Architecture
Sungchan Park, partner
Born in 1975, Seoul
2002 Graduate, Columbia University, Master of Architecture
Entry, First Step Housing Design Competition, New
York, 2003
Design Proposal, Customized Car Showroom, Brooklyn,
2003
TitleFThe scissors
EntrantFRafael Iglesia (Argentina)
Comments for the work
Description of the concept: Constructed by a grid
of 9x9 cm ties of a South-American heavy-wood gQuebrachoh
(literally meaning gbroken axesh) generally used as
railroad ties. A simple motorized pivot gate to serve
as car and pedestrian entrances. The grid can be used
also as a fence. Materials used: Treated lumber in
two dimensions (can be replaced with other materials,
metals bars for example), hot-dipped galvanized bar,
cylindrical roller bearings, underground hydraulic
operator closer, steel beam, steel column (can be
replaced with existing walls), plastic wheel + curve
steel plate. Processing methods: The wooden structure
can be pre-assembled. Structure: The combination of
the steel beam and column is the main support structure.
Comments
I am very grateful that my design was granted in the
Competition.
When I realized that my work was appreciated and distinguished
in Japan, and by these honorable Juror, honestly I
was shocked.
Thanks again to DESIGNTOPE , the Honorable Juror and
all the people involved for put in value my work.
Profile
Rafael Iglesia
1952 Date and place of birth: October 2nd of 1952,
Concordia, Entre Rios, Argentina.
www.rafaeliglesia.com.ar
Education:
1981 Architect - Professional Degree
@ Rosario National University - UNR
@School of Architecture Rosario Argentina
TitleFCylindrical Fence Unit
EntrantFAyako Shiozaki (Japan)
Comments for the work
This structure consists of four parts: ribs, frames,
cover and beams. The frame moves along the ribs, the
cover is fastened to the frame, and the beam connects
two ribs. Two functions are enabled by rotating a
frame. When a frame is fixed in a low position, it
works as a fence. If a frame is fixed in a high position,
it works as a rain-cover and a shade. The cover can
be selected and attached in the form of a net, a shell-like
encasement, or a louver-like cover depending upon
its use. The frame and beam are made of steel. The
other parts are aluminum.
Comments
It is a great honor for me to receive the Excellence
Award, for which I would like to thank the members
of the Jury. The objective of the design this time
was the smooth transition from the barring to an inviting
form. Thinking having a shade overhead would be nice
while waiting in a queue at an outdoor ticket vending
stall was the hint to this concept. Last, but not
least, I am truly grateful to all those who helped
me in many ways.
Profile
Ayako Shiozaki
1975 Born in Yamanashi Prefecture
1999 Graduated from the Shibaura Institute of Technology
Currently with a designing firm in Tokyo
TitleFWAVEWALL
EntrantFSatoshi Ohashi (Japan)
Comments for the work
By shifting the arrangement of the waves little by
little, you can see the appearance of a dynamic and
powerful swell in the expanse. This becomes the sort
of the fence that can separate the inside from the
outside three-dimensionally. Shadows also become clearly
apparent.
Comments
This time, my proposal was a fence that divides space
by means of a dynamic 3-dimensional undulation created
by shifting the positioning of each swell bit by bit.
This has the effect of creating a wave in an area
often constructed of level planes.
I am most happy, particularly as this is my first
experience of winning a prize in any competition.
I would like to continue my efforts, with this as
my encouragement.
Thank you very much.
Profile
Satoshi Ohashi
1982 Born in Tochigi Prefecture
2001 Graduated from Tochigi Prefectural Tochigi High
School
Currently with the Environmental Design Lab., Dept.
of Design and Architecture, Faculty of Engineering,
Chiba University
Chief area of interest: Spacial design
