© Kawasumi Kobayashi Kenji Photograph Office

Japan 2022One Health Carbon Gate

2022.11
Fukuoka
Monument
Completed

We designed a spiral-shaped monument using carbon fibers for the entrance of Chikugo Regional Park in Fukuoka Prefecture.
Using eco-friendly carbon fibers, we aimed to realize the principle of “One Health”: A principle that the health of humans, animals, and the environment are interdependent.
Instead of a massive gate, we installed a light and soft structure that looks like it can fly away, aiming to blend the structure into the environment surrounded by a river and greenery. The structure made of braided 15mm thick carbon fiber tubes form a double helix that wraps into a torus. By lifting two sides of the torus, it becomes a double arch like a Möbius loop. This distinctive shape was created by repeating single elements consisting of a third of a circle’s circumference. Connecting the elements at 29 optimized different angles helped reduce the cost and the construction period.
This flexible gate that allows a breeze to flow through connects the ground and people while harmonizing with the rich and beautiful water, green, and sky in Chikugo region.

Joint Design Company:Azusa Sekkei Co., Ltd.

Team Hironori Nagai, Taro Awano*, Yukiko Ang, Hisako Tokai, Hiroyo Yamamoto Construction OH-YABU CONSTRUCTION Cooperation Ejiri Structural Engineers Illumination Architainment Inc. Publication GA JAPAN 180 Photography ©︎ Kawasumi-Kobayashi Kenji Photograph Office