#Japan #Tokyo #Showa Front #Storefront Contest #Architectural Design

Announcing the 57th Storefront Competition

Showa Front Co., a subsidiary of Sanwa Holdings Corporation, is excited to announce the launch of the 57th Storefront Competition. Since its inception in 1970, this esteemed event has celebrated the innovative use of Showa Front's aluminum building materials, and this year, it continues its mission to highlight the possibilities of storefront design.

Competition Overview

The competition will run from April 20, 2026, to May 22, 2026. Participants are invited to submit their works that have been completed using Showa Front products between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026. Entries will be judged in three categories:

1. Store Building Category: Includes large retail stores, mixed-use facilities, specialty shops, restaurants, service facilities, entertainment venues, and accommodations.
2. General Architecture Category: Encompasses residential, office, medical, welfare, educational, cultural, and transportation-related facilities.
3. Renewal Category: Focuses on properties that have undergone renovations or remodels, utilizing existing structures effectively.

Participants can be associated with architectural firms, construction companies, or sales and processing businesses that have contributed to the projects submitted.

Awards and Recognition

Winners will be announced in a ceremony, where the Grand Prize winner will be awarded ¥200,000 and a commemorative gift, alongside various other category prizes:

• - Gold Prize: ¥100,000 and a commemorative gift for one winner per category.
• - Silver Prize: ¥50,000 and a commemorative gift for one winner per category.
• - Bronze Prize: ¥30,000 and a commemorative gift for one winner per category.

The competition will have notable judges including:

• - Koji Yagi, Honorary Professor at Tokyo Institute of Technology.
• - Tomoko Ikegai, representing AIKIG.
• - Kiwa Kamo, affiliated with Mikan-gumi Co.

Judging Criteria

Entries will be evaluated based on several key criteria:

• - The safety, comfort, and overall design quality of the storefront or curtain wall.
• - Integration and harmony with the overall building design.
• - Novel and unique approaches to design utilization.

How to Apply

Interested participants must fill out the application form, attach required photographs and drawings, and submit them to the Storefront Competition Office of Showa Front Co. (3rd Floor, Shikoku Building, 1-13-7 Uchikanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) or at the nearest Showa Front office.

For further details, entrants can visit the Showa Front website, where the application guidelines are also posted: Showa Front Competition.

Note: Submitted application forms, photographs, and drawings cannot be returned. Entries may be used in catalogs and on the Showa Front website.

Contact Information

For media inquiries, please reach out to:
Sanwa Holdings Corporation, Corporate Communications Department, Sato, Ozaki, and Amano
Email: [email protected] | Phone: 03-3346-3331

For customer inquiries:
Showa Front Co., Storefront Competition Office
Email: [email protected] | Phone: 03-3293-6737

We look forward to receiving entries from many talented designers in this year’s competition!