#Japan #Tokyo #EXPO2025 #Taiyo Industry #Membrane Structure

Taiyo Industry Celebrates Success at the Japan Membrane Structure Association Awards

In a remarkable achievement, Taiyo Industry Inc., a leading company specialized in large-scale membrane structures and civil engineering materials, has garnered six prestigious awards at the Japan Membrane Structure Association's (JMSA) annual awards ceremony. The impressive accolade includes the coveted Membrane Structure Design Award, the Technical Award, and a Special Award for EXPO 2025. The awards ceremony took place on June 22, 2026.

Commitment to Membrane Structure Development

The Japan Membrane Structure Association, located in Chuo Ward, Tokyo, aims to promote the development and dissemination of high-quality membrane structures through research, technological standards development, human resource training, and information sharing. Their annual awards recognize exceptional designs and contributions in the fields of membrane materials and structures, with categories including the Membrane Structure Design Award, Technical Award, and Environmental Contribution Award, all set to occur starting in 2024. This year, with the hosting of the Osaka-Kansai EXPO 2025, many buildings have utilized membrane materials, leading to a significant expectation for their further proliferation, thus introducing the Special Award for EXPO 2025.

Taiyo Industry's received awards span various sections, showcasing innovative projects such as "EDION PEACE WING HIROSHIMA," the first stadium in Japan to adopt ETFE film extensively, and other notable projects that highlight the versatility and sustainability of membrane structures.

Award-Winning Projects

1. Membrane Structure Design Award: EDION PEACE WING HIROSHIMA
This iconic stadium integrates an expansive open space with a roof that symbolizes wings of peace, achieving natural lighting for turf growth while maintaining thermal comfort through the effective use of ETFE. The project was praised for its innovative lightweight design and is expected to pave the way for further advancements in stadium architecture utilizing ETFE.

2. Technical Award: EXPO2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo Toilet 3
The project ingeniously employed an engineered ponding technique to address heat issues in air-supported structures. The design showcased dynamic membrane shape control based on environmental conditions, demonstrating the potential for air-supported membrane structures, setting a precedent for future applications.

3. Special Award (EXPO2025): null² - Living Theme Pavilion
null² introduces an unprecedented reflective membrane with 98% reflectivity, merging physical and digital experiences through water and mirror reflections. This work represents the spirit of innovation expected at EXPO 2025 and stands out for its heat-shielding capabilities and potential for sustainable architectural innovation.

4. Special Award (EXPO2025): EXPO SAUNA ‘TAIYO TSUBOMI’
Focusing on diverse and captivating spaces through an air membrane unit combined with ETFE and a unique aluminum frame, this project enhances the sauna experience by integrating natural elements and stunning nighttime aesthetics, demonstrating the versatility of ETFE in architecture.

5. Special Award (EXPO2025): Rest Area 1 - fuku fuku
This design turned discarded textiles into innovative membrane materials, creating a distinctive roof that showcases resource circulation and eco-friendliness through its unique aesthetic and functional design, earning high praise for its potential to redefine membrane structures.

6. Special Award (EXPO2025): Future of Life Signature Pavilion
Focusing on water as a symbol of life, this pavilion's design creatively integrates flowing water and soft membranes to expand architectural expression, offering visitors an immersive experience through sound and visual elements.

About Taiyo Industry Inc.

With over 100 years of expertise, Taiyo Industry has been a frontrunner in large membrane structures. They were the first to realize an air-supported membrane structure at the 1970 World Expo in Japan. The company has participated in numerous significant projects worldwide, including Tokyo Dome and London's Millennium Dome, contributing over 20 pavilions to the Osaka-Kansai EXPO 2025.

Emphasizing economic viability, construction efficiency, and design aesthetics, Taiyo Industry also engages in the civil engineering and environmental sectors. Together with its group companies, they aim to deliver new values to society under the philosophy of "Softening the World, Warming the Future."

Taiyo Industry's accomplishments reflect not only their commitment to innovation but also the growing potential of membrane structures in addressing contemporary architectural challenges.