NIPPON EXPRESS Holdings announced on October 15 that its group company, Nippon Express, has received the "2025 Good Design Award" from the Japan Institute of Design Promotion for its "NX Budokan" facility.
The facility, which houses dojos for kendo, judo, and sumo, was highly praised for its spatial design that reflects the characteristics of each sport and for its consideration of the environment.
<NX Budokan>
NX Budokan was designed and constructed by Mitsui Sumitomo Construction, with architect Junhiro Hirotani and structural engineer Ryozo Umezawa participating.
The exterior design, inspired by the "We" philosophy of working together to support the whole, features exposed concrete walls adorned with traditional Japanese arrowhead patterns, symbolically representing the company's message, "We Find the Way."
<Exterior view from the northeast (left) and interior view of the first-floor hall>
The interior features a warm and inviting space that makes the most of wood, with designs that reflect the spirit of each sport, such as a large roof with a wooden truss structure in the martial arts hall and a coffered ceiling in the sumo ring.
<Martial arts hall (left) and sumo ring>
We also place importance on coexisting with the local community, and we have equipped the facility with a private generator, storage batteries, and disaster relief supplies so that it can function as a base for club activities and athletic competitions during normal times, and as an evacuation center during disasters.
Furthermore, in April of this year, they held a kendo class for elementary and junior high school students in Itabashi Ward, and are promoting its use as a place where local residents and sports enthusiasts can gather and interact.
With this award, the NX Group will further promote its efforts toward sports development, community contribution, and the realization of a sustainable society.
■ Facility outline
Name: NX Budokan
Address: 1-15-1 Shimura, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo
Site area: 1771.34 m2
Building area: 1121.10m2
Structure: Reinforced concrete, steel frame, partial wood construction, 2 stories above ground.
Design and construction: Mitsui Sumitomo Construction
Environmental performance evaluation: CASBEE-A, BELS ★ ★ ★ ★ ★, ZEB Ready
Completion date: July 18, 2024
