PRIME AIR Original Whole-House Air Conditioning System Wins Kids Design Award

Sumitomo Forestry Co., Ltd., led by President Toshirou Mitsukoshi and based in Chiyoda, Tokyo, has announced that its innovative whole-house air conditioning system, "PRIME AIR Original," has been honored with the 19th Kids Design Award. This award recognizes the system's focus on child health through improved indoor air quality, making it an excellent choice for families.

This marks the fourth consecutive year that the Sumitomo Forestry Group has received this esteemed recognition. The company remains dedicated to creating safe and comfortable living environments and developing products that support the healthy growth of children.

About the Kids Design Award

The Kids Design Award is organized by the Non-Profit Organization Kids Design Council and is supported by various governmental agencies, including the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Cabinet Office, the Consumer Affairs Agency, and the Children and Families Agency. This award aims to commend outstanding products, services, spaces, activities, and research that address social issues related to children and parenting. It evaluates not only design in a narrow sense but also policies and initiatives that contribute to creating a safer, more nurturing environment for children. Awarded products are permitted to use the Kids Design Mark, a symbol of excellence in this area.

Award Details

The PRIME AIR Original Whole-House Air Conditioning System received recognition in the category of designs that facilitate childbearing and parenting. This system combines a room air conditioner with a ventilation unit equipped with a dehumidifying function. By doing so, it maintains an optimal temperature and humidity level to ensure a healthy indoor environment for children.
Diminished humidity levels can lead to various health issues, including asthma and skin problems in children, which is why maintaining appropriate humidity is crucial. The dehumidifying feature alleviates dryness during the winter months and controls humidity levels without raising the indoor temperature during the rainy season.
The system is also equipped with VAV (Variable Air Volume) control, which allows for the adjustment of airflow in each room. This means that during sleep hours, the airflow can be minimized to provide a more suitable sleeping environment for children.

Research has indicated that indoor temperature and humidity have significant impacts on children's learning efficiency. Consequently, the PRIME AIR system addresses the growing concern among parenting generations regarding effective temperature and humidity management, thereby contributing positively to child development.

Innovative Features of the Whole-House System

The design of the PRIME AIR system consists of a room air conditioner combined with a ventilation unit, ensuring a consistent and comfortable indoor climate throughout the home. The system is designed to optimize energy efficiency while also prioritizing the health and comfort of the occupants. Moreover, it leverages the highest insulation and airtightness perfected by Sumitomo Forestry houses. As represented in the accompanying diagram, the blue arrows indicate the direction of air conditioning flow, while the green arrows denote ventilation pathways.

On May 9, 2025, Sumitomo Forestry will launch the PRIME AIR system, reinforcing its commitment to creating warm and inviting living spaces that prioritize comfort and well-being for families.

Sumitomo Forestry’s Vision for the Future

The Sumitomo Forestry Group engages in a wide array of wood-based businesses worldwide, encompassing everything from forest management to the production and distribution of timber and building materials, construction of single-family homes and mid-to-large wooden structures, and real estate development to biomass energy generation. Their long-term vision, "Mission TREEING 2030," aims to improve the CO2 absorption capacity of forests while promoting the long-term carbon fixation of wooden buildings, thereby contributing to societal efforts for carbon neutrality. Future initiatives will revolve around enhancing Zero Energy Homes (ZEH), Zero Energy Buildings (ZEB), Low Carbon Construction Management (LCCM) homes, and net-zero carbon buildings, accelerating decarbonization both during construction and habitation.

This ongoing commitment to sustainability illustrates Sumitomo Forestry's dedication not only to innovation in home comfort but also to the health and well-being of future generations.