#Japan #Toyohashi #Red Dot Award #Corrugated House #FOOD FOREST

Corrugated House: A Blend of History and Modern Design

Located in Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture, the Corrugated House is a unique lodging facility that has recently gained international recognition by receiving the prestigious Red Dot Award for Design Concept 2025. Operated by FOOD FOREST, this facility is not just a place to stay; it represents a perfect fusion of architectural heritage and modern living, emphasizing sustainability and personal reconnection with nature.

A Testament to Architectural Heritage

Built in 1965 by the visionary architect and plant engineer Kenji Kawai, the Corrugated House stands as Japan's oldest structure using corrugated pipe architecture—a method typically associated with underground tunnels and subways. Kawai, driven by a desire to break free from urban infrastructure, self-built this home, envisioning a lifestyle of self-sufficiency amid nature.

The recent award highlights the facility's design concept: “Experience a Night Disconnected from the World.” This idea encourages guests to detach from the overwhelming flow of modern information and to reconnect with themselves in a natural environment. The concept was realized in collaboration with STUDIO HOLIDAY, symbolizing a modern escape into tranquility.

Features of the Design Concept

1. Valuable Restoration of Architectural Heritage
The Corrugated House has been restored in collaboration with ADDReC to serve as Toyohashi's first overnight accommodation, preserving its historical significance as listed by DOCOMOMO, while embodying Kawai’s unique perspective on the world from 60 years ago.

2. Regenerative Approach
In undertaking this project, sustainable architectural methods were adopted with the aim of reducing environmental impact. After being unused for 20 years, the surrounding farmland has been cultivated, collaborating with various creative teams to implement a regenerative development model.

3. Adapting to Diverse Lifestyles
The facility caters to the evolving lifestyles post-pandemic, focusing on digital detox and harmonious living with nature, weaving intuitive experiences throughout its design.

A Collaborative Creative Team

The vision of the Corrugated House has been actualized through the contributions of numerous talented designers and creators:

• - Integrated Production: Taiga Fukushima from ADDReC Inc.
• - Branding Direction: Maru Tomita from FOOD FOREST
• - Architectural Design: Kenji Kawai (original design) and m.products (renovation supervision)
• - Interior Design: Takuya Ishii and Nobuhiko Kitazato from monotrum
• - Exterior Design: Saeko Aizawa from Awai design
• - Lighting Design: Yusuke Hattori and Kotono Mutou from ambiguous
• - Space Prop Styling: Katsuya Kubokawa
• - Web/UI Design: Hiroshi Horiuchi and Hirune Imamura from STUDIO HOLIDAY

The Renowned Red Dot Award

The Red Dot Award is an esteemed international design competition organized by the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen in Germany, one of the three most prestigious design awards globally alongside iF Design Award and International Design Excellence Award. The category of Design Concept focuses on innovative ideas, prototypes, and yet-to-be-launched concepts, placing a premium on creativity and innovation. This recent accolade celebrates the innovative design concepts in the field of interior design that are currently being experimented with at the Corrugated House.

Insight from Maru Tomita, CEO of FOOD FOREST

Expressing gratitude towards ADDReC and the talented designers for their contributions, Maru Tomita stated, “It is a great honor to receive the Red Dot Design Award, which is globally respected. The Corrugated House is not just a lodge but a place that transforms the guests' worldviews through the experience of disconnecting from the earth for one night. We are beginning to offer this philosophy of self-sufficient living and coexistence with nature that Kenji Kawai practiced sixty years ago, as a new value.”

The Future of Corrugated House

Looking ahead, the Corrugated House aims to transcend being a mere accommodation. It seeks to provide experiences that resonate with guests’ life stories, shedding light on potential local resources that are often overlooked. By intertwining aspects of architecture, food, nature, art, and wellness, the facility aspires to create an experience designed to engage the senses and reveal intrinsic wealth, establishing itself as an experiential design brand.

About the Corrugated House

The Corrugated House is a private lodging facility located in Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture, reimagined from Japan's oldest corrugated house built by architect Kenji Kawai in 1965. With the theme of “Experiencing a Night Disconnected from the World,” the house offers a blend of digital detox, coexistence with nature, and self-sufficiency.

For inquiries, please contact:
Email: [email protected]
Website: Corrugated House