LIXIL-FOUNDATION

The LIXIL Foundation (located in Koto-ku, Tokyo; Chairman: Yoko Ushioda), which facilitates surveys and research related to the housing and building materials industries as well as supporting the development of human resources, is pleased to announce today that the next-generation sustainable housing “INFINITE FIELD” designed by The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts (Denmark) has been completed on a site of Memu Meadows in Taiki-cho Hokkaido, environmental technology research facilities managed by the foundation.

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INFINITE FIELD is the top prize winner in the 6th LIXIL International Student Architectural Competition sponsored by the LIXIL Foundation, aimed to seek and review next-generation sustainable housing technology and communicate that technology to the global community. The project was designed based on the theme: “Comfort and Lightness.” For the first time in its history, this year’s competition called for proposals for a light shelter that can be easily assembled and moved.

INFINITE FIELD is a structure that features a 360-degree timber platform and the design enveloped by soft, permeable membranes. From this elevated platform, which is aligned with an average snow depth in this region, users are able to enjoy the view of snowfield spreading infinitely during the winter months while the platform transforms into a place to cool off in the summer heat. It is designed to allow people to feel changes of the seasons in Taiki-cho.

The varied textile membranes invite nature in and allow the architecture in itself to move. The fabric is layered to create the space; these textiles are chosen with consideration of various environmental properties to ensure a comfortable thermal environment. Dwellers can operate these layered membranes on their own, adding or removing them to adjust their relationships with the environment while they serve as an expanded threshold.

With the completion of INFINITE FIELD, Memu Meadows is now a home to six structures designed by students. The effects of these “next-generation sustainable houses” will continue to be verified.

Accompanying Material
-- INFINITE FIELD designed by The Danish Royal Academy of Fine Arts (Denmark)
Supervisor:	Anders Brix, Professor
Students:	Kazumasa Takada／Bas Spaanderman
	Scarlett Emma Hessian／Jesse Thomas
	Benjamin Hock Yuu Tan／Konstantinos Fetsis

Design Supervisor: Kengo Kuma & Associates		Structural Engineer: Oak Structural Design
General Contractor: Takahashi Construction Company		Building Area: 21.3m2
Construction Cost: Approx. 15 million yen
Construction Period: August 2016 - October 2016

[Features]

• Seasonal Transformation
  INFINITE FIELD was imagined as a permeable experience, one where users are able to dictate their conditions, while engaging with the natural environment surrounding them. During the winter months it is from this elevated vantage point that users are aligned with an infinite sea of snow, and are treated to overlook the landscape from the warmth of the nest. In the summer heat the platform transforms into a place for rest and quiet reflection, looking out to a field of wild grasses, trees and bright blue skies. This 360-degree timber base is a contemplative oasis providing panoramic views of the natural surrounding.
• Spatial Tactility
  INFINITE FIELD is an architecture of change and graduation, allowing users to experience and enjoy the shifting environment in comfort, while simultaneously enhancing our human connection with nature. A set of soft, permeable membranes made of varied textiles invites nature in and allows the design to move and breathe with the seasons. As you transition across the platform users can operate the membranes, moving them to add or remove barriers between the environment and themselves. These layers are an expanded threshold, an envelope inviting nature in while allowing a tactile interaction with the architecture.
• Material Dwelling
  The fabric architecture imparts a whole new perspective to familiar scenes. Silk fabric blades hang from the draped inner membrane disrupting heat and air flow. Users are able to visually perceive the gentle winds and air that flow through the dwelling as these fabric blades gently sway and flutter in the breeze. The project’s textiles are chosen with consideration of the various environmental properties, while their layered design provides adaptable thermal zones for user’s personal comfort.

-- Overview of Facility
Name: Memu Meadows
Location: 158-1 Memu, Taiki-cho, Hiro-gun, Obihiro, Hokkaido
Owner: LIXIL Foundation 2-1-1 Ojima, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 136-8535
Site area: App. 184,000 square meters
Main facilities: Experimental house “Même”, “Mock-up of Multiple floor Bamboo House”, “A recipe to live”, “BARN HOUSE”, “HORIZON HOUSE”, “NEST WE GROW”, “INVERTED HOUSE”, Multipurpose Facility, Conference Pavilion, Residence 1L and 1R (accommodation for researchers), two log houses (accommodation for researchers), fitness center, restaurant, Administration Wing, etc.
Official website: http://www.lixiljsfound.com/

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Contact:

LIXIL Foundation
Kenji Iida, +81-3-5626-1008
2-1-1, Oshima, Koto-ku, Tokyo 136-8535
Fax: +81-3-5626-1033
LIXIL Foundation website: http://www.lixiljsfound.com/