Sumu Yakushima got iF DESIGN AWARD 2023 "GOLD", and A+Awards "Jury Award"

Sumu that designed by tono Inc. was recognized for a concept of regenerative ideas. Although sustainable architecture that preserves the environment has existed in the past, it is realized in this project with the architectural idea of enriching the environment.

Living deck and existing symbol tree
Photo credit: Rui Nishi

Sumu's design changes our relationship with nature. It enables residents to discover new possibilities for interacting with nature, and to adapt the way they think and act, thus building relationships with nature that transcend generations. If more widely applied, its unique approach has the potential to accelerate environmental initiatives.

Living deck and buildings
Photo credit: Rui Nishi

Cabin 1 exterior
Photo credit: Rui Nishi

Cabin 2 interior
Photo credit: Rui Nishi

Taking extraordinary care not to disturb the fine balance of human and natural presence at this World Heritage site, this building abounds with subtle representations of Japanese master-craftsmanship. Like a haiku, this form reveals its depth on closer inspection.

The jury of iF

Additionally, Sumu received the "Jury award", the highest award in the "Susutainable Private House" category of the A+Awards 2023, a category introduced for the first time this year. Winners of other architectural genres in the same category include Foster and Partners and UN studio. In addition, Sumu also won the Encouragement Award of the ADF design award 2023, and has won 5 other awards.

Lounge
Photo credit: Rui Nishi

Dining room
Photo credit: Rui Nishi

Lounge
Photo credit: Fumika Mimura

About Sumu Yakushima

Yakushima Island is a natural paradise in southern Japan, where abundant rainfall onto 2,000-meter peaks nurtures dense forests home to millennium-old Japanese cedars. This innovative housing co-op applies "regenerative architecture" to re-conceptualize the relationship between human habitation and the surrounding natural environment. The name Sumu means both "to live" and "to become clear", expressing its core concept of living in a way that positively impacts the landscape. Rather than being a discrete site, the design takes a holistic view of the entire river basin, from the mountains to the sea, making a positive contribution to natural processes. It applies "regenerative architecture", a new approach developed by the designers that combines traditional Japanese civil engineering with contemporary technology.

Cabin deck
Photo credit: Wataru Aoyama

Living deck
Photo credit: Wataru Aoyama

Cabin deck
Photo credit: Rui Nishi

About tono Inc.

tono Inc. is a regenerative architectural design studio established by Tsukasa Ono in Yakushima, Japan. The Japanese meanings of the word "tono" are "with" and "relationship". The firm embraces that theme in designing buildings that create strong and positive relationships between nature and people. The firm proudly designs "Regenerative Architecture" that enriches the environment by leveraging the fungi and bacteria found in the soil.