Nara Prefectural Convention Center was awarded the Excellence award (Forestry Agency Director-General award) under “Heartwarming Design” category at the Sixth Japan Wood Design Award 2020. Due to the COVID-19 infection, the award ceremony was held on Dec. 18 with the persons involved only, and the video will be shared online.
Japan Wood Design Award is an award system that acknowledges outstanding wood products and related activities that contribute to the promotion of comfortable life, human health and social prosperity from the perspective of consumers. In its sixth year, a total of 432 applicants were entered for the competition.
The Heartwarming Design category involves construction, space, wood products, projects or technology & research that connect with human senses, providing relaxation, mental and physical health improvement. The design that communicates background stories of producers through wood use.
Evaluation Points:
The large roof of the hybrid frame using Yoshino cedar laminated wood and steel frame, the scale and design of the Tempyo square (pictured left) are impressive, and the complex is an attractive space that shows various ways of using local wood. The large roofed multipurpose outdoor area is approximately 1,000 square meters. Lights from the ceiling are installed in the image of sunlight through Mt. Wakakusa.
The local wood was successfully used for structural materials and interior & exterior materials. Furthermore, various wooden art pieces made by local artisans, including the glass screens with Yoshino cedar Washi papers and plane scrap woods, add cultural richness to the complex. As a regional exchange hub, the nobility of Tempyo culture represented by Manyoshu and the texture and expression of wood are well integrated.
The foyer on second floor (pictured right) features artist furniture placed throughout the complex, such as ceiling lighting decoration using Yoshino cedar bark, and benches made by stacking thin plates of Yoshino cedar.
Nara’s largest convention center (pictured above left) can accommodate up to 2,000 people. The convention hall has an expansive space of 2,100 square meters with a ceiling height of 9.9 meters. The walls of the center are designed using the motif of Azekura-zukuri style, which represents Tempyo culture.
Nara Prefectural Convention Center is located in the middle of Nara City between Nara Park and Heijo Palace Site, surrounded by World Heritage sites. Easily reached from Kansai International Airport via a direct limousine bus in 90 minutes, the city of Nara offers excellent access to travelers from overseas. Equipped with 14 conference rooms, indoor and outdoor multi-purpose spaces, and tourism promotion facilities, including Nara Prefecture’s largest convention hall at 2,100 square meters, Nara Prefectural Convention Center is the ideal location for a wide variety of events such as international conferences, academic meetings, seminars, exhibitions and business negotiations. For more info, visit www.nara-cc.jp/english/index.html
