ban Life Design Competition

UR

■Foreword

Shuichi MATSUMURA

Project Professor, University of Tokyo / Chairman, Subcommittee for Conservation and Utilization of UR Housing Complex, Architectural Institute of Japan “Danchi”, a housing complex with affordable apartment buildings/houses typically built as public housing by government authorities, rapidly spread nationwide from the 1960s onward during the high economic growth period of Japan. Before long, these housing complexes became the common living space and urban landscape of Japan. Half a century later, many of these housing complexes have been rebuilt and transformed into a new space. Akabanedai Danchi, opened for use in 1962 by the Japan Housing Corporation (JHC; current UR) which played a central role in the construction of housing complexes during the postwar period, is no exception. Despite being a large-scale housing complex with more than 1,000 units, the first of its kind within the Tokyo 23 wards, the reconstruction begun in 2000 and many of the original buildings have gone out of sight. Fortunately, three Star House buildings and one rectilinear-type building in the southeast block remained for this Project. Today, this area has become an important place that conveys the original form of Akabanedai Danchi at the time of completion. Architectural Institute of Japan (AIJ) placed importance to this and submitted an architectural conservation request to UR in July 2018. Conservation and utilization of the four buildings were determined in September 2019 and thereafter certified as the Registered Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan. Consequently, UR commissioned to AIJ for the “Research and Study on the development of information transmission base and utilization of conserved buildings at Akabanedai Danchi”. In October 2019, a partnership agreement was concluded between the parties, and established the “Subcommittee for Conservation and Utilization of UR Housing Complex” within the AIJ. This architectural design competition was conceived based on the discussions made in the Subcommittee as one of the methods to utilize the housing blocks registered as the Tangible Cultural Properties. Half a century ago when the population composition was young and economy continued to grow at a high rate in Japan, a housing complex was the center for making new lifestyle for the future. Today, conserved housings of Akabanedai Danchi that stand before us convey the dreams we envisioned 50 years ago. While the buildings and surroundings are now a mere shell of themselves, I am very interested to learn what kind of future-oriented living features will be incorporated by people who live in the year 2021. We sincerely look forward to receiving various proposals filled with possibilities.

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■ Theme of the competition: Future Living beyond Star House

These days, during the Coronavirus crisis, daily living has been significantly affected and a new mode of living has been called into consideration. As we spend more time at home, while telework or remote work has become widespread, the modality of choice for ʻlivingʼ with our family has been under review. When the people started to concentrate in the cities back in the period of rapid economic growth, new “Danchi” or a housing complexes were built and defined the standard of living. Likewise, 'living' is now discussed its way of being, beyond overcoming today's hardship. Akabanedai Danchi was built as the first large-scale housing complex in Tokyo 23 wards during the period of rapid economic growth. “Star House (star-shaped apartment building)” caused a stir in the new form of living. “Star House” has not been a standard housing type. But yet, it certainly was a cutting edge proposal, going ahead of the times. We want to pass on the Star House's high motive, re-design our way of living beyond the ʻstandard livingʼ, and envisage how ʻfuture living in a housing complexʼ should be in the society after going through this difficult time. We are calling for innovative ideas showcasing how the historic characteristic Y-shaped Star House would be renovated, including the relationship with newly rebuilt “Nouvelle Akabanedai” Danchi and suggestions for housing complex rejuvenation. These new ideas and suggestions are expected to explore “the true nature of living” in the future.

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■Message to Entrants of Competition

◎ Jury Chairperson

Yoko KINOSHITA

Professor, Kogakuin University / Principal, ADH Architects

Akabanedai Danchi is known as the masterpiece of layout among the housing complexes developed by JHC. The Star Houses were then arranged at the major locations to provide impact to the monotonous streetscape of housing complexes. Three of such Star House buildings and one rectilinear- type building were certified as the “Initial Stage Urban Type Housing Complex” of the “Registered Tangible Cultural Properties (structure)” in December 5, 2019. Accordingly, the postwar JHC reinforced concrete (RC) housing became one of the modern cultural heritage. It can be well said that this has led to present the “housing complex heritage” approach as one of the directions for regenerating housing complexes. In terms of our lifestyle, what was “ordinary” is no longer the “ordinary”, and it keeps reforming by creating a new “ordinary (=standard)”. Alike how the JTC housing complexes presented the “prototype of housing” of postwar period, the Japanese society is currently seeking for a new “prototype of housing”. We are truly excited that this competition will become a great opportunity to consider about our future living, with new keywords such as “telework” and “social distancing” which became familiar during the Coronavirus crisis, as well as “well-ventilated living environment” that was once the “ordinary”.

◎ Jury Members

Akira TAKAYAMA

Theater Director / Professor, Graduate School of Film and New Media, Tokyo University of the Arts A dwelling can be interpreted as a “vessel” for daily conduct of people. On Photo by Yuji OKU the contrary, such daily conduct can be determined by a shape of the “vessel”. In such case, what kind of “vessel” can generate a daily conduct peculiar to housing complexes? What kind of “vessel” can revitalize the joy to live in a housing complex and the liveliness where people gather? I look forward to plans with ingenuity and originality in this sense.

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Miori BABA

Chairperson, NPO Minami Boso Republic

Following the rapid change of lifestyle in the recent years, architecture is also shifting. This sequence feels as though the underlying arrogance of architecture ‒ the idea that “new design is what leads the change of living” ‒ is being interrupted. The reason why Star Houses still remain today may also come from a view from the same horizon. I hope to see plans with the spirit towards this continuing but unpredictable future.

Noriyuki TAJIMA

Associate Professor, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Creative Engineering, Chiba Institute of Technology / Director and Principal Architect, Tele-design Inc. Among all the housing complexes, Star House is characteristic of a foresighted open plan. The floor plan gives an open feeling with three directions facing the outside. Today, due to the Coronavirus crisis, the nature of living is being reconsidered. Please propose a future of how living should be, not just a place to come home to sleep, but a place where insatiable living can be had all through the time; from morning to night and from spring to winter.

Sonoko YORITA

Deputy Mayor, Kita City Government of Tokyo

At the time of construction, Akabanedai Danchi was a dreamhouse for common people, and Star House was developed as an experimental model housing. I am very excited to know how this living space at the Star House will be transformed. While taking into consideration of the current social environmental changes, we look forward to new ideas projecting future trends. In addition to design and cultural traits, I am looking forward to a brand-new living space the moment you open the door.

Takito NIIDA

Vice President, Urban Renaissance Agency (UR)

While inheriting the housing complex environment that is a regional asset, UR promotes to regenerate housing complexes that can repair or rebuild housings and introduce new functions to achieve “sustainable and vigorous

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regional and urban development”. By utilizing the attractiveness of the housing complex, I wish to consider together on a new way of living that meets the technological innovation, new life services, creation of community and the New Normal.

■Organizer: Urban Renaissance Agency (UR) ■Co-host: Architectural Institute of Japan ■Support: Kita City Government of Tokyo

■Contact information "URban Life Design Competition" Secretariat （URLinkage Co. Ltd., nominated by UR, makes arrangements for this competition） Telephone: +81-3-3644-0031 10:00am - 5:00pm (JST)（except Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays） E-mail: compe＠ur-net.go.jp * We cannot respond to inquiries about the evaluation results and complaints.

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■ About "Akabanedai Danchi" 1) Akabanedai Danchi Site area: 18.5ha Number of units: Start of management: (former) 3,373 1962 2) Nouvelle Akabanedai Site area: 11.2ha Number of units: Start of management: 2,114 2006

Former Akabanedai Danchi has been located on a hill above JR Eastʼs Akabane station, whose site used to be the army clothing branch depo (which was taken over by the U.S. army for a while after the World War Ⅱ). It was URʼs first housing complex with over 3,000 units in central Tokyo 23 wards. While being planned as a relatively densely arranged area, the project developed varied layout plans and architectural plans, employed various design approaches with a variety of housing types, and eliminated electrical poles on the site (laying power lines underground). It was an urban-type housing complex which posed an ideal model for Tokyo metropolitan city. The redevelopment project was embarked on in 2000, and a number of buildings have been rebuilt into Nouvelle Akabanedai. In 2019, four buildings, including Star House, were officially registered as the first-ever ʻRegistered tangible cultural properties (structure)ʼ housing complex. They will be preserved and utilized for cultural asset to show postwar living environment.

1) Former Akabanedai Danchi ＜Layout Plan＞ Following the existing roads, UR laid out mainly four and five stories (mid-rise) apartment, seven stories (high-rise) building and arranged Star Houses for viewpoints near cliff line. While adopting URʼs first mid-rise apartment with exclusive use backyard, the plan developed wide variety of building layouts including cross arrangements and enclosing arrangements with park at the center.

For urban development model, enclosed layout plan (1F-shop)

Cross arrangement

Inheritance of main frame of the existing roads

Housing building with High visibility due to a garden Star Houses location Former Akabanedai Danchi

Layout Plan

＜Housing Building & Unit Plan＞ Various housing types were prepared such as 1K (one room with kitchen) for single dwellers

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and 4DK (four rooms with dining and kitchen) for families, and realized many epoch-making new housing types, even though standard design housing was quite normal at that time. In addition to duplex, skip-floor type, direct-access apartments and apartments with exclusive use backyards, especially the housings with staircase attached to the building (1DK & 2DK mixed type) were designed to allow remodeling into a larger family size housing of 3DK, by removing the brick partition walls. These types were designed with vision for future urban residence.

2) Nouvelle Akabanedai Danchi By carrying on the existing matrix-like roads that serve as the main frame of housing complex and the axis of greenery, each block was developed based on a street-side layout with10 stories apartments. UR set a common design concept including a lively street scenery, space of alleys which connect blocks, courtyards open to the area, and inheritance of local community. UR also worked on creating complex housing design for future generation with an aim to balance the characteristics of each block and harmony of the whole complex.

Promotion of interaction among multi generations along the street

Promenade, pedestrian roads

Inheritance of main frame To west exit of of the existing roads Akabanedai Sta. Creation of new streetscape by enclosed layout Layout Plan Nouvelle Akabanedai Danchi

■ About "Star House" Star House is one of the point-like structure housings which were attempted during the postwar period in Japan, and called a “Star House” because its units are open as star-shaped. While most of the other buildings are 'rectilinear-type structure housings', Star House contributed in providing impacts to the scenic plan and made to adapt to irregularly shaped site and varying site levels. Three housing units are set around center triangular staircase on each floor. With Y-shaped planar figure and its three directions of all the units facing the outside, Star House provides an excellent residential environment.

◎Outline of Star House Completion year 1962 Building area 149 ㎡ Structure Reinforced concrete (RC) structure Gross floor area 751 ㎡ Rahmen (rigid-frame) construction Number of Floors 5 stories

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Room Toilet Closet Kitchen Closet Bathroom

Entrance Room

Room Closet Balcony

Appearance of Star House buildings Floor Plan of Standard Floor

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■ Plan to create "Akabanedai Information Source Facility (tentative name)" ◎'Information Source Facility to learn the history of urban living and experiment the future' regarding Japanese living and urban development, will be constructed on the former Akabanedai Danchi site, aiming to open in spring, 2023. Conserved housing buildings (#41, 42, 43 and 44 housing building), which were officially registered as the first-ever "Registered Tangible Cultural Properties (structure)" housing complex in 2019, will be renovated, while considering the conservation of appearance to secure the value of the cultural asset.

【Outline of the facility development】 ・Name：Akabanedai Information Source Facility (tentative name)(hereinafter referred to as " Information Source Facility "), ・Opening：Spring in 2023 (scheduled) ・Location：Former Akabanedai Danchi site (1 Akabanedai, Kita-ward, Tokyo) ・Facilities：Plan to build a New Annex: History Exhibit facility (Structure: fire-resistant wooden/reinforced concrete structure, Height: approx.16m) Four housing buildings; former Akabanedai Danchi #41 building (rectilinear-type housing with staircases) and #42, 43 and 44 buildings (Star House buildings), will be conserved.

Block E #41 building Kirigaoka Danchi Block C Toyo University Block B Block D #42 building Block A New Annex

#43 building

Block F #44 building Information Source Facility Information Source development area Facility (newly build)

Overall layout (former Akabanedai Danchi / Nouvelle Akabanedai Danchi) Information Source Facility development area

Image of the new annex building

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◎Along with history exhibition, the facility will utilize conserved housing buildings (familiar cultural asset) as a substantive field to realize proposal of future living and renovation technology, responding to a housing stock-oriented society.

【Concept of Information Source Facility: "Museum & Lab" where 'Conservation' merges with 'Creation'】 - The facility will serve as a space to discover the origins that formed Japanese cities and contemporary lifestyles through Danchi that represents housing complex. - By collaborating with various companies and educational institutes, the facility will unfold remodeling technologies and future living in a housing complex. - Conserved housing and representative housing examples in the past will be displayed in actual space of the facility, so that visitors of the facility can intuitively experience active dynamic exhibitions.

【Main display (scheduled)】 - Replica housing units: Harumi high-rise Apartment (designed by Kunio Maekawa) and Daikanyama Doujunkai Apartment, etc. - History and transformation of the city formation as well as living in housing complex (Danchi).

Image of Exhibition space: Replica units and related exhibitions

Replica: Harumi high-rise apartment

The plan of Information Source Facility is subject to alter under the circumstances that are influenced by future consideration, discussion with related governments and other factors.

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■Description of Application ◎Objective and scope of URban Life Design Competition (hereinafter referred to as "URLD Competition ") Star House became a registered tangible cultural asset (structure) and will be conserved at the site of former Akabanedai Danchi. The objective of this competition is to renovate the distinctive Y-shaped historic Star House and seek for new ideas and suggestions that explore the true nature of living in the future including the relationship with newly rebuilt Nouvelle Akabanedai and suggestions for housing complex rejuvenation. While proposals should include the way of living in Star House housing, restrictions on alteration to the cultural asset will not be evaluated in the competition and can be freely designed. Scope of proposal may freely be set based on 'one unit', 'one floor', 'one building', 'two buildings', 'all three buildings' or 'including Nouvelle Akabanedai Danchi and surrounding area'. New ideas and suggestions will be highly expected, so that we can seek the true nature of future living.

◎Assessment Procedures Assessment of the design proposals will be conducted in two phases. 6 shortlisted design proposals will be selected at the first phase screening. At the final assessment, through presentations of 6 shortlisted design proposals in public, Q&A session, and evaluation by jury members (not in public), the prizes for “the First-place Prize”, “Award of excellence” and "Honorable mentions" will be decided.

◎Prizes First-place Prize (one party) Prize money: JPY 1,000,000 (tax included) Award of Excellence (two parties) JPY 500,000 for each (tax included) Honorable mentions (three parties) JPY 200,000 for each (tax included) Winning designs (five, more or less parties) JPY 100,000 for each (tax included) * Depending on the decisions by the jury members, formation of the prizes may be changed according to the outcome of applications to the competition. * Transportation expenses will be paid for 6 shortlisted entrants when they attend the final assessment to make a presentation (for up to 2 representatives, as a rule).

◎Eligibility of Entrants Anyone can apply to this competition, and submit his/her design proposal as an individual or a group. At the final phase assessment, the shortlisted entrants are required to attend the presentation.

◎Handling of the First-place prize design and role of the winner To realize the first-place prize design, UR will consider a basic implementation plan in

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collaboration with the first-place prize winner. Based on these plans, design and construction will take place. The winner of the first-place prize is expected to join the basic implementation to realize the first-place prize design plan as a design architect, which will be confirmed in writing (the form is attached). The winner may be requested to make some advice at the stages of design and construction, depending on the situation. When implementing the design, it should be noted that original design idea of the first-place prize design is subject to alter without the consent of the first prize winner, under the circumstances that are influenced by related regulations, construction period and other factors.

◎Downloadable forms and plans The contents below can be downloaded from the official website. - Form of inquiries (MS Excel format) - Housing building plans (PDF and DXF format) 1. Overall Layout plan（former Akabanedai Danchi/Nouvelle Akabanedai Danchi） 2. Layout plan of “Akabanedai Information Source Facility (tentative)” construction area 3. Floor plan of Star House building 4. Elevation plan and Cross-section plan of Star House building 5. Detailed Floor plan of Star House housing unit

◎Submission Requirements Complete summary and draw each plan on one single sided A2 sized paper (420×594mm). The plan should be placed landscape (using PDF format). All documents should be in Japanese or English. Following are required for submission. 1) Concept of the design 2) Floor plan and internal elevation, etc. which illustrate the concept of the design proposal - Never fail to put scale size on the plans. 3) Finishing plan, equipment instrument, etc. which illustrate image of the plans. 4) Others, perspective drawings, pictures of a model, CG etc. which express design intent. Entrants may freely describe their plan proposal.

◎Application procedures Application to the competition can be completed through the website below

https://www.ur-net.go.jp/rd_portal/urbandesign/event/compe2021/ Electronic data (PDF format, less than 100MB)

◎Period for submitting design proposals Monday, 30 August, 2021, by 5:00pm (JST) One proposal is only valid for one submission. For multiple submissions, entrants should

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register multiple times and submit their proposals separately.

◎Announcement of the first phase screening results The first phase screening results will be announced in early October, 2021 (scheduled). Those who pass the first phase screening will be individually informed, and also the results will be announced on the official website.

◎Final phase assessment and Awards ceremony Friday, 29 October, 2021 The details of final phase assessment and awards ceremony will be announced on the official website, once the details are set. The shortlisted entrants are due to prepare the documentation for the final assessment based on the design proposal of the first phase screening, and make a presentation (in about 10 minutes) publicly and engage in a Q&A session (in about 10 minutes) with the jury members of the committee. After the presentations and Q&A session, the final assessment will be conducted by the evaluation committee (closed to the public) to decide the First-place prize, Award of Excellence, Honorable mentions. Following the public announcement of the final assessment result, Awards ceremony will be held. The details of the final screening and the first phase screening result will be informed, after the first phase screening, to the shortlisted entrants who pass the first phase. * The shortlisted entrants will never be taken into consideration in deciding the winners, if he/she does not attend the final phase assessment public presentation.

◎Announcement of the final results Middle of November, 2021 (scheduled) The final result will be announced on the official website and in the January, 2022 issue of “SHINKENCHIKU”.

◎Receiving Inquiries and Replies 【Receiving Inquiries】 Entrants to the competition can send inquiries, if any, concerning the competition. The inquiries can be made only by using 'Inquiry form (MS Excel format, posted on the official website)' by e-mails as follows. - Inquiries should be sent with the title “Inquiry about URLD Competition”. - Any inquiries without filling out the required contents of the form will not be accepted. - Inquiries should be written in a concise manner in order for the Secretariat to response concisely and correctly. Entrants can send inquiries only once. The Secretariat will not accept entrantsʼ addition and/or alternation to the inquiries, and refuse to answer the entrants' question to the replies. ≪Destination of inquiries≫

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e-mail address：compe＠ur-net.go.jp ≪Period for receiving inquiries≫ Wed, 14 April, 2021 10:00am to Fri, 30 July, 2021 5:00pm (JST)

【Replies to inquiries process】 Replies to the inquiries will be uploaded on the website (information of the person who makes inquiries will be posted anonymously). Responses will be answered in a sequential order, renewed in step-by-step manner, not answered individually. The replies are regarded as an addition or alternation to the 'Description of Application'. If replies to the inquiries differ from other descriptions of documents offered through the competition, the 'replies to the inquiries' would be given priority. Please note that entrants' inquiries may not be replied depending on considerations below. * Inquiries which are unrelated to this competition * Inquiries which are likely to damage the fairness of the competition when answered * Inquiries which are similar in intent to the other inquiries * Other inquiries which seem to be inappropriate to reply CAUTION: Entrants shall collect information in this Q&A procedure regarding this competition, so they must not individually inquire about the competition to the relevant agencies.

◎Precautions 【Handling of Copyrights and the right of proposed design】 - Copyrights and the right of the design which proposed to this competition will remain the property of the entrants, but the organizer of the competition will hold the right to make public until when the result of competition assessment be announced. Any copyrights, right to make public and the related rights of deliverables gained from basic consideration, basic design, detailed design and construction based on the First-place prize winning design idea (hereinafter referred to as "copyright related rights"), will be held by UR. - Entrants to the competition should retain copyright/right of design concerning the design proposed to the competition until the day when the result of competition assessment be announced. - The winner of the First-place prize is due to separately confirm the handling of "copyright related rights" and execution of author's moral right, at the phase of the basic consideration of the design, with UR in writing (form attached). This agreement shall be written in Japanese.

【Others】 - Entries are limited to unpublished works. - Competition entries will not be returned. If necessary, please make copies before submitting your plan. - Same entries should not be submitted to any other competitions. - Competition proposals must not infringe the copyright of any others' works either in whole or

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in part. Do not use images from magazines, books or websites. If suspicion of infringement of the copyright related rights be found, the winning prize may be revoked by the organizer. - If infringement of copyright related rights or any other suspicion be found after submission of proposals, the applicant shall assume all the relevant responsibilities. - Please refrain from making inquiries to relevant administrative agencies. - Personal information submitted will be used in connection with this competition only, not provided to any third party. - Even after considering the implementation of the plan, if the First-place Prize proposal turns out to be unrealizable, other proposal may be implemented. - Failure to follow any of the competition rules will result in disqualification, in this case, the organizer will reclaim the given prizes from the winners, and the winner should obey this request. - Please take a look at the video of the site situation distributed on the official website, and refrain from entering the premises and housing buildings. The organizer never assume responsibility for any trouble arising from entrantʼs visiting the site.

■Registration to receive announcement of the events and others regarding URLD Competition On the official website, information of the free webinar (to be held concurrently with URLD Competition), updates to the official website such as the result of the screening, next UR's URLD Competition, as well as the information of the "Information Source Facility" will be delivered by e-mails. Those who hope to register to receive announcement regarding the competition are required to fill out the requirements on the registration form 'WEB application form beforehand for the events and others regarding URLD Competition' on the official website, admit the agreement and apply to register. * The webinar and related above will be offered only in Japanese. Also, the registration form will be filled out only in Japanese.

«Application period for registration» Wed, 14 April 10:00am to Fri, 30 July 5:00pm (JST)

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■ Flow of Screening Procedure

Competition starts Wed, 14 April, 2021 Distribute a video on-site on the official website

Deadline for Submission Mon, 30 August, 2021, by 5:00pm (JST)

First phase screening The first phase screening will be closed to the public

Announcement of the Early October, 2021 (scheduled) result of the First phase - Result will be announced on the official web site. screening - Those who pass the First screening will be individually notified the result

Final phase assessment Fri, 29 October, 2021 (scheduled) - Public (Details will be on the official web site.) 1) The shortlisted entrants will make a presentation 2) Q & A session 3) Awards ceremony

Announcement of Mid November, 2021 (scheduled) the final result - Announcement of the final result will be made public on the official web site and January, 2022 issue of “SHINKENCHIKU”

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