Celebrating the 21st Anniversary of the IFYA Nagoya Grand Prix
Two decades ago, the international architectural community gathered in Japan to answer a critical question: what does a sustainable, circulating future city look like? Today, as we mark the 21st anniversary of the 2005 International Forum of Young Architects (IFYA) in Nagoya—organized by the International Academy of Architecture (IAA)—the answer our team proposed remains as urgent and relevant as the day we first drafted it.
The Maejima Challenge
In 2005, under the workshop theme “Circulating Future Cities in Asia,” six teams of six members were challenged to envision the future of the Maejima area. This unique site was an artificial landmass created by the construction of the Chubu Centrair International Airport and its connecting highway, sitting off the coast of the historic city of Tokoname in Aichi Prefecture.
Surrounded by the sea and major transport arteries, the site demanded both functional synergy with the new airport and a profound ecological response to the newly formed topography.
A Global Synthesis
Our multidisciplinary team brought together distinct global perspectives: Masanori Takeuchi, Akinori Yoshimura, and Kenichiro Suzuki from Japan; Sebastian Mariscal from Mexico; and Daniella Slavova and myself, Bozhidar Hinkov, from Bulgaria.
Over 10 intense days, we synthesized our ideas, taking the “ECHO RING” from initial sketches to final drawings. We were supported by incredibly talented local architecture students who brought the vision to life through an impressive physical model. The atmosphere of that workshop was spectacular, shaped by an unprecedented roster of mentors. Presenting and refining our ideas under the guidance of architectural titans like Toyo Ito, Georgi Stoilov, Kiyonori Kikutake, Itsuko Hasegawa, and Shizuo Harada profoundly influenced our approach and design thinking.
A Vision Led by Children
Perhaps the most defining aspect of our process was where it began. Before we drew a single structural line, the project locations were first envisioned by local children. Their “dream designs” served as the foundational layer of our urban strategy. This method of prioritizing pure, unconstrained human desires is an approach we adopted in Japan and continue to implement in our public domain design today.
The Architecture of the ECHO RING
Instead of fighting the artificial nature of the site, our design leaned into an inverted perspective of environmental recovery. We proposed entirely disconnecting the landfill from the mainland to create a true artificial island. At its heart, we designed an inner lagoon featuring processed salt water, turning the marine environment into an active catalyst for the land’s ecological regeneration.
The defining exterior feature was the megastructure that wrapped almost the entire Maejima area. The upper tier was designed as a continuous, gentle green roof—a living ring enveloping the protected sandy beaches below. The structure stepped down in green, multilayered terraces that housed the residential, public, and office functions. By integrating advanced environmental technologies and rethinking regional transportation, the ring was designed to incubate a socially excellent, sustainable community.
The Real Grand Prix: 21 Years Later
As we look back, it is striking how the concepts of the ECHO RING—marine environment integration, green infrastructure, and community-centric megastructures—have transitioned from experimental workshop ideas to essential global methodologies. Sebastian has continued to champion the deep integration of landscape and art; Akinori has built a profound practice around the subtle dialogue between site and space; and Daniella and I continue to push the boundaries of sustainable public infrastructure.
To prove the enduring validity of this forward-thinking approach, we have reimagined the original 2005 renderings. These updated visuals demonstrate that the ECHO RING was never just a theoretical exercise; it was a preemptive solution for the climate and urban density challenges we face today. Seeing our design stand the test of time, remaining functionally and conceptually adequate over two decades later, is the real Grand Prix we all won.
