Theme : Big Tree Paradigm

Ancient trees have an almost magnetic attractiveness that is beyond description. This attractiveness may derive from the mighty forms of the trunk and branches, or from traces of the times that the tree has passed through – such as part of tree being dead after being struck by lightning. Or, it may be from the way that a tree interacts with the environment and creatures around it - which we can call its microcosm.

The reasons for the attractiveness of such big trees are countless - as are the number of people who claim to know the reasons. For this competition, design a house that has an attractive quality that is somehow similar to the attractiveness of big trees. It is not necessary that the house imitates the shape of trees. Rather, it is good if the idea starts from the attractiveness of big trees and develops into an unpredictable outcome - the form does not need to look like a tree at all. Most importantly, I wish the outcome to have a vivacity that could not have been achieved by conceiving the design within the boundaries of conventional "architecture".

The main structure should be in wood. Other criteria such as size, context, residents etc, can be decided by the designer. I expect a fresh idea that goes beyond existing ways of thinking, and that shows us a possible future - with the cue concept being that of a big tree.

I expect imaginative, brilliant proposals.

Akihisa Hirata