#Japan #Good Design #Kani #SORA TAKALA #Marugame Engineering

Kani City's Marugame Engineering Receives Prestigious Award

In a remarkable achievement, Marugame Engineering Co., Ltd., a small construction and civil engineering company based in Kani City, Gifu Prefecture, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Good Design Award. With just 15 employees, this local firm has made a significant impact through its innovative approach to sustainable architecture. The recently completed headquarters, which also serves as a showroom, stands as a testament to the potential of regional industries and the capabilities of small businesses.

The new building employs a unique technique known as "liquid glass impregnation" using local specialty wood, Tonou Hinoki. This advanced method not only enhances the wood's durability but also innovates design possibilities with its distinct "curved roof" architecture. The award jury highly praised the project for addressing the traditional weaknesses of wood through technology, thus creating new value and opening avenues for wooden construction within the context of local industrial revitalization.

A Commitment to Local Industry

The inception of this project stemmed from a desire to give back to the community that has supported Marugame Engineering for over 30 years. The challenge posed by Tonou Hinoki's susceptibility to environmental degradation – particularly from sunlight and rain – sparked the company’s innovation. After extensive discussions over two years with a local construction firm, Sanwa Wood Co., they arrived at the revolutionary method of liquid glass impregnation. This technique transforms Tonou Hinoki into a high-durability building material, paving the way for designs that include the curved roof and fully wooden exteriors, while inviting sunshine into the space throughout the year.

Engineered for Efficiency and Aesthetics

The unique curved roof design is not only visually striking but is also engineered to maximize the sun's heat – a precious resource in the colder climate of the region. By carefully calculating the sun's path throughout the year, the design ensures that natural light fills the interior spaces regardless of the season or time of day. This innovative approach not only challenges the conventional wisdom of wooden architecture—traditionally aimed at minimizing exposure to the elements—but also expands design flexibility and stimulates architects' creativity.

This transformation of Tonou Hinoki is seen as a vital step in reviving local industries and increasing demand for this indigenous resource. Marugame Engineering aims to utilize the award as a stepping stone to engage more local residents in industrial revitalization efforts. They anticipate that the principles demonstrated by their headquarters, named SORATAKA lab, may one day extend beyond Kani City, contributing significantly to improving the average lifespan of Japanese housing, which is currently estimated at a mere 30 years.

Praise from the Jury

The jury acknowledged the project as a compelling example of how regional characteristics can be leveraged through innovation. The ability to impregnate wood with liquid glass has resulted in a robust material resistant to decay and sunlight, allowing for creative architectural expressions such as the curved roofs and the extensive use of Hinoki wood in exteriors. The bright spaces bathed in sunlight and infused with the scent of Hinoki create an inviting environment that celebrates both the material's uniqueness and its beauty, making it not only a functional experimental facility but also a stunning architectural accomplishment. The initiative is seen as an ambitious step toward reviving local industries while exploring the new possibilities of wooden architecture.

Upcoming Exhibitions

Marugame Engineering will showcase the award-winning design during the "GOOD DESIGN EXHIBITION 2025," an event taking place from November 1 to 5 in Roppongi, Tokyo, at Midtown. There, visitors will have the opportunity to see the innovative space that reflects both the company's commitment to sustainable design and the beauty of local materials.

About Marugame Engineering

Founded in April 1992, Marugame Engineering has established itself as a leader in trench construction (water, sewage, electricity, telecommunication, and underground utility installation), alongside a broad range of civil engineering works, disaster recovery efforts, and leak repairs. The firm prides itself on its expertise in underground pipe installation, ensuring safe and comfortable living for the community. Going forward, Marugame Engineering is committed to projects aimed at enhancing the durability and longevity of building materials through advanced glass coating techniques, continuing its tradition of challenge and innovation.