2025 GOOD DESIGN AWARD winners announced! The Grand Award went to architect Mr. Shigeru Ban and others for their DLT Timber Temporary Housing

1,619 winners were selected out of the 5,225 entries screened

Under the theme of this year's GOOD DESIGN AWARD, “A Small Step, Design Leaps,” impartial screening was conducted over about six months. 1,619 award-winning objects (by 1,142 companies) were selected out of 5,225 entries. This is the largest number of award winners in the history of GOOD DESIGN AWARD. In addition, taking the opportunity of EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, the SPECIAL AWARD FOR FUTURE SOCIETY DESIGN was established, and one entry was selected.

See all the results: https://www.g-mark.org/en/gallery/winners

A fairer and deeper discussion All the awards including the Grand Award are selected by the judges only

The GOOD DESIGN AWARD is the only comprehensive design evaluation and promotion mechanism in Japan. In order to look at a variety of designs equally, we continue to pursue a fairer and more open approach to evaluation by responding to the changing times and society and evolving accordingly.

As part of this effort, the Grand Award Selection method was changed this year. In the past, the Grand Award Selection was separately held by the winners and judges at the celebration ceremony. However, the new system was applied this year: On top of other awards, the Grand Award was also selected only by the judges at the Special Awards Panel held in September. The new system aims for designers and experts active both at home and abroad to make a deeper and more consistent evaluation.

20 Gold Awards, one from each unit, are finalists for the Grand Award.

A total of 23 judges including the Chairperson, Vice Chairpersons, and Unit Leaders participated in the Grand Award Selection during which presentations were given by all candidates, followed by discussion and voting.

On the first ballot, each judge cast one vote. “Genbe River, a Clear Stream Where Fireflies Dance and Aquatic Flowers Bloom – Mishima City's Treasure becomes World's Treasure! – The World Heritage Irrigation Structure” received seven votes, “Ginza Sony Park Project” five votes, and “DLT Timber Temporary Housing” four votes. Thereafter, through further discussion and re-voting, the Grand Award finalists were narrowed down to Genbe River project in Mishima City and DLT Timber Temporary Housing. A final vote was held between the two designs. As a result, “DLT Timber Temporary Housing” secured the majority of votes and was selected for the GOOD DESIGN GRAND AWARD.

Message through award-winning design

In the screening for the Grand Award, the background, social significance, and future expectations of the nominated designs were carefully shared. We discussed not only designs with more votes but also designs with less votes: Even though they received less votes, we understood them better by communicating their good features from different angles, which often led to change in their evaluation.

Regarding DLT Timber Temporary Housing, one commented on Mr. ban's activities, “As a designer and architect, Mr. Ban moves on his own and embodies A Small Step. For example, he went to areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and other disasters around the world. He is really wonderful because he acts for what is needed before being asked and always be prepared for that.” Then, the judges exchanged views, including that the temporary housing has a structure to be permanent building and that they will try new materials. And their empathy grew.

At the end of the screening panel, Ms. Nagayama, Vice Chairperson, said that one of memorable phrases of this year as a key word was to reconsider the obvious once again. She added, “The applicants participated in the award because they wanted to advance their design and activities achieved in their extensive career to the next stage. I'm impressed by the fact that the GOOD DESIGN AWARD is a place where people are trying to send messages to the public by applying for it. It's important to create such a place. I've realized again that this award is a good platform.”

The role of the GOOD DESIGN AWARD, in which each of the subject entries sends a message to future design and society through winning the award, and creates a chain of innovation leading to the future, is truly recognized.

Permanent temporary housing that makes you happy to live here

DLT Timber Temporary Housing, which won this year's Grand Award, was built after the Noto Peninsula Earthquake in 2024. DLT (Dowel Laminated Timber) is a panel which is made without adhesives by inserting wooden dowels into aligned timbers with predrilled holes. These panels are assembled into box-shaped units and stacked, which shortens the construction period. In addition, with the shortage of specialists in the affected areas, the DLT made it possible for ordinary workers to construct without using large equipment.

In his acceptance speech, architect Mr. Shigeru Ban said, “We have been involved in the construction of emergency shelters and temporary housing since before the reconstruction phase began, i.e., since the damage-recovery phase. Haseman had imported DLT from Switzerland and had continued development. So, we were able to use it immediately after the Noto Peninsula Earthquake. People living at the emergency shelters said that they were glad to live there.

This effort was made possible by the cooperation of the three companies. We didn't start this DLT project suddenly. We had long been preparing to make it happen. Thank you very much for the wonderful award.”

They plan to work on the development of detached-type and apartment-type housing as the “housing at the reconstruction phase.” They also unveiled another plan to reuse timber from the Grand Roof Ring, a symbol of the Expo 2025. Through these new initiatives, they renewed their commitment to reconstruction assistance.

This year's GOOD DESIGN AWARD focuses on Continuation and Evolution

Mr. Saito, Chairperson, explained the reason for the Grand Award selection, saying “The winners, Mr. Ban, IEMOTO INC, and M.HASEGAWA & CO.,LTD., have been working in the affected areas for more than 30 years since the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. We're deeply impressed by their efforts over the years and their commitment to supporting people in need both locally and globally, in keeping with the times. We've respectfully selected them for this year's Grand Award.” He also said that this year's GOOD DESIGN AWARD focused on Continuation and Evolution as a whole.

And he concluded as follows: A Small Step of the message of A Small Step, Design Leaps shows the characteristics of the GOOD DESIGN AWARD, “Love the new buds,” which we have cherished for the award. This year, the focus is placed particularly on Design Leaps as the next stage of A Small Step. There are a lot of designs that make a leap, but the leap is limited. How to go beyond the limits may be the key to future design. In order to support design that takes a leap, in terms of culture and economic activity, the power of design is further required. Through this year's screening, it is strongly realized that design has entered a new phase.

GOOD DESIGN EXHIBITION 2025 held from November 1!

GOOD DESIGN EXHIBITION 2025 will be held from Saturday, November 1 to Wednesday, November 5 at Tokyo Midtown at Roppongi. This is one of the largest design events in Japan, where you can see, touch, enjoy, learn, and buy.

All of the award-winning objects of the 2025 GOOD DESIGN AWARD will be at this exhibition. On the basement first floor, GOOD DESIGN BEST 100 and other exhibits will be displayed. In the fourth floor Conference room, “My Favorite Design” chosen by each judge from their personal point of view will be presented. In addition, the Design Hub on the fifth floor will host talks by the winners and judges. There will also be a stamp rally around the venue.

“Our Favorite Good Design,” a visitor voting event which started last year, will be held as well. Come and vote for your favorite design and enjoy the exhibition.

GOOD DESIGN EXHIBITION 2025 Period: Saturday, November 1 – Wednesday, November 5 Time: 11:00 – 19:00 (Open at 13:00 on November 1 and close at 18:00 on November 5) Venue: Tokyo Midtown (9-7-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo) B1F Hall/Atrium, 4F Conference, 5F Design Hub Organizer: Japan Institute of Design Promotion (JDP) URL:https://www.g-mark.org/en/learn/past-awards/gda-2025/gde2025

“GOOD DESIGN STORE TOKYO by NOHARA” POP UP STORE Period: Saturday, November 1 – Wednesday, November 5 Time: 11:00 – 20:00 (Open at 13:00 on November 1 and close at 18:00 on November 5) Venue: Tokyo Midtown Galleria B1F Atrium Operated by Nohara Group, Inc.