LIXIL International University Architectural Competition

The LIXIL International University Architectural Competition is a design competition for university research laboratories that is hosted by LIXIL JS Foundation.
Situated on a site in the Memu Meadows of Hokkaido’s Taiki-cho, We seeks sustainable architectural solutions from nominative universities around the world.
The winning university will be responsible for the project throughout the construction phase.

ORGANIZER：LIXIL JS Foundation
COOPERATOR：LIXIL Corporation Research Institute, Hokkaido Taiki Town
SUPPORTER: Obihiro Development and Construction Dept., Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau,Hokkaido Government Tokachi General Subprefectural Bureau,Architectural Institute of Japan, The Japan Institute of Architects (JIA), Japan Federation of Architects & Building Engineers Associations, Shinkenchiku-sha Co., Ltd.

What are the universities around the world thinking and doing about the environment?
The 3rd competition of LIXIL International University Architectural Competition calls for proposals for sustainable architecture under the theme of “RETREAT IN NATURE” on the designated site of Memu Meadows in Taiki-cho, Hokkaido, Japan. The twelve invitational universities from eleven countries are asked to submit proposals. The university with the best proposal will construct the building.
Each invitational university is asked to show the process from initial design to completion on each university's Facebook.By sharing their perspectives and values on environment among students from various climate and culture, this competition expects the proposal for innovative sustainable architecture.

Theme “RETREAT IN NATURE”

In a world where there is no coherent growth, shared values become fragmented. More effort is required to forge a sense of happiness. Under such conditions, what kind of values could architecture offer? And how could one imagine a new affluence to contemporary life?
The site in Taiki-cho, Hokkaido, is blessed by nature with a climate that varies considerably through the cold winters and hot summers. Here, qualities of life not found in the city could be apparent: like discovering plants budding through the snow or observing the seasons of the pastures. The landscape could even be fully constructed like the English garden. Also, the harsh climate does not necessarily mean it is desirable to resist it - its pleasure could be derived in the spring or the autumn. But thoughtful ideas should not deny the role of available technologies. It is important that the new values of living are clearly defined along with the proposals.
From the design to completion, the work done in the studios should be presented on the internet, through blogs, twitter or Facebook. The combined efforts of working on a single theme with universities abroad could yield previously unimagined results. The progress will be documented in the pages of Shinkenchiku and A+U.

http://www.lixiljsfound.or.jp/category/1835715.html