What is the KUKAN DESIGN AWARD?
Established to connect the value of spatial design to the future, the KUKAN DESIGN AWARD is the most esteemed of such awards in Japan.
As our society grows increasingly complex, our values too are changing, from valuing a wealth of things to valuing wealth in our hearts, and in this we face many challenges. The mission behind the KUKAN DESIGN AWARD is to mine the solutions of our society’s multi-faceted challenges and break through to a hopeful future.
Activities associated with the KUKAN DESIGN AWARD focus on creating places and opportunities for the myriad people passionate about design to assemble and collectively hone their craft. These activities bring to light new design values and talent, both domestic and international, and build a creative platform serving as an index for future generations.
In Japanese culture, the concept of KUKAN (space) regards not only physical space but also Ma (the space between)—between the hearts of those present in that space, the changes of affairs, and the passage of time. To design spaces is to create tremendous potential for people, society, and epochs.
Spatial design has the power to move people and enrich our society.
We believe in the power of spatial design.
AWARD CATEGORIES
Group A |
01.Exhibition, Promotional space Exposition, Convention, Trade show, Show room, Event, Promotion campaign and others 02.Show window & visual design space Show window, In-store display, Advertisement, Point of purchase advertisement, Signage, Graphic display and others 03.Entertainment & Creative/ Art space Communication space with movie or lighting design, Interactive art, Installation, Monument, Object, Botanical display, Parade, Attraction, Stage direction and others |
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Group B |
Retail store, Apparel store, Specialty store, Deli/ Food store and others Restaurant, Café, Bar, Japanese restaurant, Food court and others 06.Large retail shopping mall or Multiple retail space Shopping center, Department store, Mall, Outlet store, Stores in station, Entertainment complex, Cinema complex and others Hotel, Inn, Resort environment, Wedding space, Ceremony hall, Spa/ Beauty salon, fitness club and others |
Group C |
Museum, Science museum, Art museum, Archive center, Culture hall, Cultural exchange space, Theater, Concert hall and others 09.Public welfare/ Communication space Sport training facility, Hospital, Clinic, School, Preschool, welfare facility, Factory, Storage, Religious facility, Station building, Airport facility, Library, Hall, Town hall and others Office, Workspace, Studio, Lobby, Entrance, Meeting room and others House, Housing complex, Public space of housing complex, Model room, Shared house, Service apartment |
- KUKAN DESIGN AWARD 2020 Ceremony
Awards will be presented to all the winners of the KUKAN DESIGN AWARD 2020.
The "KUKAN OF THE YEAR 2020" will be announced among the Gold award winners at the awards ceremony, and these awards will be presented at the same time.
There will also be a talk session with the winners of KUKAN OF THE YEAR 2020.
Date: Friday, November 13, 16:00 -
Place: Tokyo Design Center
Award Winners' Talk Session: 6:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
URL for distribution
https://www.facebook.com/Kukan.Design.Award
2020 winners / winning works

Nikkei Inc Award
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JINDAIJI GARDEN Restaurant Maruta
Shunichi Furuya / FURUYA DESIGN ARCHITECT OFFICE

Nikkei Inc Award
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kumamoto castle reconstruction observation path
Yuzuru Tsukagawa , ShunHori / NIHONSEKKEI
A-02 Show window & visual design space

Shiseido Ginza Bldg. / Beauty Innovation 2020
Taisuke Kikuchi / Shiseido , Hokuto Ando / we+ , Toshiya Hayashi / we+
B-04 Shop space

Magic Box – ROARINGWILD Shanghai Infinitus Flagship Store
Kinson Leung / DOMANI ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPTS
B-06 Large retail shopping mall or Multiple retail space
C-09 Public welfare/ Communication space
Introduction of the host organization
Japan Design Space Association
Aiming for Creation of Spatial Communication Design
Spatial design is about designing extremely highly interactive, impressive space by infusing messages that need to be delivered on the spot through the use of various techniques to enable articulation of ideas and offer thrilling and exciting experiences. Our activities as a group of creators focus on producing vibrant interactive space ranging from basic show windows & displays to exhibitions, showrooms, promotions, cultural, business and entertainment space, as well as architectural structures, cities, and landscapes.
The Japan Design Space Association (DSA), in our official capacity as an incorporated association, is committed to pursuing public-interest activities that can contribute to economy, industry, society and culture through enhancing design technique advancements, organizing design awards, and facilitating symposiums, international exchanges, studies, publication and other promotional and educational activities.
→Click here for the official website

Japan Commercial Environmental Design Association
Creating a new design for the commercial environment and creating the future
The Japan Commercial Environmental Design Association (JCD) was founded in 1961 to establish the professional role of commercial environmental design and to improve the quality of communication in urban society as well as the environments playing host to commercial activities. JCD was incorporated in 1963.
JCD is composed of creatives from a vast array of spatial design fields, including interior design, architecture, spatial production, planning, lighting design, and graphic design.
Activities like the presentation of design awards; holding symposia, educational events, and seminars; and the publication of periodicals and books expands our influence beyond Japan to the international stage.
Catalyzed by recent societal changes, we are diversifying these activities in service of creating new value in design.
→Click here for the official website
