In Aichi Prefecture, Japan, a 30-year-old office building owned by Asanuma Corporation has undergone a transformative redesign under the GOOD CYCLE BUILDING initiative. This pioneering project breathes new life into aging architecture through sustainable, circular design principles, reshaping the conventional image of office buildings and instilling a deep respect for nature.
A fundamental aspect of this transformation is the choice of materials. The redesign prioritizes natural, recyclable resources, replacing the original glass façade with recessed deep-eave windows that enhance natural lighting and ventilation. The building’s new exterior is clad in solid Japanese cedar sourced from Nara's Yoshino Forest, reinforcing its connection to nature.
As the structure ascends, the diameter of the columns gradually narrows, mirroring the natural growth pattern of trees. This innovative design not only enhances the building’s aesthetic harmony with nature but also minimizes wood waste. Moreover, when the wooden elements eventually require replacement, they can be repurposed once again, ensuring a continuous material lifecycle.
At the building's entrance, visitors are greeted by an unexpected sight — the floors, walls, and ceilings are composed of repurposed soil materials, evoking a profound sense of returning to the earth. The leftover soil from the renovation was reused throughout the building's interior and exterior surfaces. Unlike conventional construction, this process was not carried out by professional architects or craftsmen; instead, users participated in applying the soil themselves, fostering a sense of ownership and engagement in the building's creation and maintenance. Remarkably, the soil walls contain no added substances, ensuring durability over time. Should the walls ever require resurfacing, the soil can be recycled and returned to nature.
This renovation exemplifies the concept of a "material bank," where every element—from salvaged façade materials, interior stone elements, and clean demolition waste to blended soil, reclaimed wood, and repurposed gypsum—finds new life within the building. By taking a step back and allowing space and materials to breathe, the architecture is reborn, seamlessly integrating sunlight and greenery while embracing the essence of sustainable design. In this space, natural materials flow and regenerate, embodying the true meaning of circular architecture.
Project Info
GOOD CYCLE BUILDING 001
Location: Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
Architects: Nori Architects + Asanuma Corporation
Nori Architects: Norihisa Kawashima, Takuro Kunitomo, Shohei Takeuchi, Yuki Ishibashi
Asanuma Corporation: Kiyoshi Hasegawa, Saya Okazaki, Kazuaki Nakamura, Naoko Itemadani, Katsuya Mizuno
Design Period: May 2019 – July 2020
Construction Period: August 2020 – September 2021
Reference : https://greenmedia.today/article_detail.php?cid=35&mid=769