Press Release
Stack Up House by Kazuma Kobayashi Wins the A' Design Award in Architecture, Building and Structure Design
Kazuma Kobayashi honored for architecture, building and structure design by the international grand jury of the 2024 - 2025 A' Design Award & Competition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COMO, Italy, April 23, 2025 /DesignNewswire/ A' Design Award & Competition has confirmed the A' Design Award in the Architecture, Building and Structure Design category for Stack Up House by Kazuma Kobayashi, designed for KENBO Co., Ltd.. The result belongs to the 2024 - 2025 A' Design Award & Competition and was determined through blind peer review by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members, who scored anonymized entries against predetermined criteria.
The A' Design Award Explained
The Iron A' Design Award is awarded to good designs that meet the rigorous professional and industrial standards set by the A' Design Awards. This recognition is reserved for works that demonstrate a solid understanding of design principles and show creativity within their execution. Recipients of the Iron A' Design Award are acknowledged for their practical innovations and contributions to their respective fields, providing solutions that improve quality of life and foster positive change. These designs are a testament to the skill and dedication of their creators, showcasing their ability to address real-world challenges through thoughtful design.
More About Stack Up House
Stack Up is a two-story wooden house built in a dense urban area. The exterior resembles a stack of boxes of different sizes, which gives the building a sense of depth. Windows were positioned to limit views from the street, and large glass panels bring in natural light. A high ceiling adds a feeling of spaciousness. A courtyard allows light and air to enter while keeping the interior private. A large tree in the garden acts as a screen. The garden is also arranged as a run for dogs, with fences and stairs at safe heights.
About Kazuma Kobayashi
Kazma Kobayashi is an architect based in Okayama Prefecture who values the philosophy of designing a style of living. He carefully listens to each client’s vision and brings it to a way that exceeds their expectations. The homes he creates reflect the stories of residents enriching their daily lives. His designs go beyond mere aesthetics incorporating functionality that enhances everyday comfort and a commitment to quality that remains timeless over the years. Each home he builds is a true expression of the resident’s individuality and values serving as a foundation for lasting happiness.
Award Record
With this recognition, Kazuma Kobayashi is a winner of 1 A' Design Award.
About the A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award
The A' Architecture Design Award is an international architectural design competition recognizing good architectural designs by best architects worldwide. It is organized within the A' Design Award & Competition and is open to architectural design studios, building contractors, structural engineering firms and architecture and design consultants from all countries. Typical entries include skyscrapers, museums, residential buildings, commercial complexes, educational institutions and religious structures. The awarded architectural projects are published at https://dezigners.org/design-category/architecture
About A' Design Award & Competition
Organized annually since 2008, A' Design Award & Competition is an international, juried design accolade. The competition is open to entries from all countries. The philanthropic mission of the A' Design Award is to advance society through good design, by recognizing and promoting superior products, projects and services that benefit society, and by creating a global awareness and appreciation for good design practices and principles. Nominations are peer reviewed and evaluated anonymously by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members against predetermined criteria such as functionality, ergonomics, engineering, presentation, innovation, usability, sustainability and technology, with score normalization applied to remove biases. Awards are conferred at Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron levels. Eligible laureates receive the A' Design Prize, which includes the award trophy, the certificate of design excellence, the hardcover yearbook, a lifetime license to use the A' Design Award winner logo, exhibition of awarded works, an invitation to the gala night and award ceremony in Italy, inclusion in the World Design Rankings and Designer Rankings, and public relations and publicity services. Registration, uploading a work and receiving a preliminary score are free of charge, and Professional and Digital Edition laureates are not contractually obliged to pay further fees to claim the A' Design Prize. More information is available at https://competition.adesignaward.com
Press Resources
- Winner Page: https://dezigners.org/169244
- A' Design Award Page: https://competition.adesignaward.com/169244
- Media Showcase: https://www.designnewsroom.com/!169244
- Laureate Profile: https://dezigners.org/d/365561
- Further Information from the Laureate: https://kenbo.co.jp
Media Contact
Giulia Ferrari, Press Office
Designers.Org
Via Leone Leoni 32, 22100 Como, Italy
press@designers.org
+39 031 4491953
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Fact Sheet
The Work
- Project
- Stack Up House
- Function
- House
- Category
- Architecture, Building and Structure Design
- Discipline
- Spatial Design
- Industry
- Architecture
- Colors
- Dark Slate Gray, Dark Gray, Cadet Blue, Light Steel Blue and Slate Gray
- Images
- 5
- Client
- KENBO Co., Ltd.
The Recognition
- Laureate
- Kazuma Kobayashi
- Country
- Japan
- Recognition
- A' Design Award
- Edition
- 2024 - 2025
- Design ID
- #169244
Credits
- Image Credits
- Photographer Senichiro Nogami
Design Details
- Unique Properties
- This building was designed to achieve an open space while protecting privacy in an environment where the surrounding buildings are close together. The placement of the windows was adjusted to take into account the view from the outside. The interior was designed with a high ceiling to create a pleasant sense of spaciousness while reducing the sense of oppression. Furthermore large glass was effectivel placed to bring in plenty of natural light creating a bright and open space.
- Inspiration
- This house is located in the city center but we aimed to create a space that would provide a high level of privacy and a sense of comfort similar to that of a resort hotel. The building has a design that resembles overlapping boxes giving it a sense of depth. In addition by incorporating a design with a courtyard we have created an open space. While allowing in natural light and wind, we have created a private space where you can spend time without worrying about the eyes of those around you.
- Research
- We carefully considered the optimal window layout taking into account the surrounding environment. We made sure to incorporate the client's request for large windows while also making sure to create a space where they could live comfortably. In particular we planted a large tree in the garden and used it as a screen. This allowed us to block out the view from outside while also letting in a pleasant amount of light creating a living room with a sense of openness.
- Challenge
- At the client's request we incorporated a design that would make the miscellaneous goods collected as a hobby stand out in the home. We adjusted the interior materials and colors to create a space that would bring out the appeal of the miscellaneous goods. In addition the garden design is centered around stones and we designed it to harmonize with the interior while making the most of the texture of natural materials.
- Realization and Technology
- wooden Second story building
- Operation and Interaction
- The garden is designed to be used as a dog run and a spacious area has been secured where pets can run around freely. Safety has also been taken into consideration and by carefully selecting the height of the fences and stairs an environment has been created where dogs can live comfortably.
- Project Duration and Location
- Built in Kurashiki City Okayama Prefecture in 2023
- Specifications
- Site area 400 square meters Building area 155 square meters
- Keywords
- house, box, japan, Architecture, garden, pet
