Updated by the Forest Circular Economy Editorial Department on October 30, 2025, 3:35 PM JST
Editorial Board, Forest Circular Economy
Forestcircularity-editor
We aim to realize "Vision 2050: Japan Shines, Forest Circular Economy" promoted by the Platinum Forest Industry Initiative. We will disseminate ideas and initiatives to promote biomass chemistry, realize woody and lumbery communities, and encourage innovation in the forestry industry in order to fully utilize forest resources to decarbonize the economy, strengthen economic security, and create local communities.
In Sakura City, Tochigi Prefecture, Tokyo Denki University, Kyoritsu Women's University, and Hokkai Gakuen University are collaborating on the "Wood Structure Art Forest" project to create artworks utilizing wood sourced from Tochigi Prefecture. This five-year plan, launched in 2024 with the goals of preventing global warming and revitalizing the forestry industry, aims to complete the "Art Forest" by 2028.
This project is a student-led initiative that combines architectural structural knowledge with the utilization of local resources. This year, approximately 20 architecture students from three universities participated.Starting with the initial meeting in April, they held repeated online and on-site discussions, conducted field surveys, and held design workshops. Using wood sourced from Tochigi Prefecture, they created objects that also serve as play equipment and decorative pieces. Installation and finishing work were carried out during an overnight stay at the site. Approximately 150 people, including representatives from 21 sponsoring companies, attended the unveiling event held on September 6th, showing keen interest in the students' creations.
The Sasaya Laboratory in the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Future Science at Tokyo Denki University, one of the participating institutions, specializes in architectural structures. The laboratory maximized its expertise in structural design and the properties of wood to create and install "Komorin," an object where children can climb and run around, and adults can experience forest bathing and dappled sunlight.Throughout the production process, the students were responsible for everything from the design of the work to structural analysis and safety assessments through experimentation, material procurement, cost and schedule management, and the actual fabrication work.
This project connected students to forests through the lens of art. Through this activity, students applied the specialized knowledge cultivated in classroom studies to real-world projects. They also interacted with local residents, sponsoring companies, and forestry professionals, gaining hands-on opportunities to learn about the relationship between forests and people and the appeal of wood as a material. The value of this hands-on experience is significant in raising awareness of environmental issues and sparking interest in the next generation of forestry.
Reference Links
Wood Structure Art Forest Homepage
