Roads, bridges, buildings, and networks—infrastructure is indispensable in our daily lives, and for us gamers too.
Even in games, opportunities to interact with buildings have increased, with things like building cover and stairs in Fortnite, and architectural design exercises using Minecraft Education Edition.
You might find yourself wondering what to create next when playing games, but sometimes you need some input.
When that happens, the best thing to do is to actually see the buildings and structures that exist in the real world with your own eyes!
On Friday, November 29, 2024, the "Nikkenren Awards 2024," which recognizes outstanding buildings and structures, were held, and a total of 27 projects were honored.
We'll bring you a report on the inauguration ceremony for actor Takumi Momose, who was appointed as the ambassador for the 5th "Nikkenren Awards 2024."
To the "Nikkenren Awards 2024" Venue!
We've arrived at the "Nikkenren Awards 2024" venue!
At the venue, panels featuring photos and explanations of the buildings and structures that won the "Civil Engineering Award" and "BCS Award" were displayed.
The Civil Engineering Award recognized a wide range of projects, including bridge construction like the "Akita Shinkansen Sainai River Bridge Reconstruction Project," dam construction like the "Tamari Dam Main Body Construction Project," and other projects like the "New East-West Free Passage at Shinjuku Station."
The BCS Award also recognized tourist attractions and popular buildings such as "Es Con Field Hokkaido," "Ishikawa Prefectural Library," and "Tokorozawa Sakura Town"!
Among this year's award-winning projects, the new East-West Free Passage at Shinjuku Station is particularly memorable to this author, as it made getting around Shinjuku Station much easier.
"Nikkenren Awards Ambassador" Inauguration Ceremony Held!
After the awards ceremony, an inauguration ceremony was held for actor Takumi Momose, who was appointed as the "Nikkenren Awards Ambassador."
He received the letter of appointment from Yoichi Miyamoto, the chairman of Nikkenren.
Takumi Momose (@takumimomose) is an actor from Chiba Prefecture who boasts 3.6 million TikTok followers and was a finalist in the "31st Junon Superboy Contest."
He is also attracting attention as a promising actor, having been featured in the "National Treasure-Level Ikemen Series" in the women's fashion magazine "ViVi."
I am Takumi Momose, and I have been appointed as the Nikkenren Ambassador.
I am delighted to be invited to such a wonderful event.
I will do my best.
(Translated from Japanese)
Takumi Momose played baseball until his third year of junior high school, and among the buildings that received awards this time, he was most interested in "Es Con Field Hokkaido" in Hokkaido.
Interview with Takumi Momose, the Newly Appointed Ambassador!
NOTE 1:This was a joint media interview and includes questions from media outlets other than SaigaNAK editorial department.
NOTE 2: The block quotes below are translated from Japanese.
Q. Please tell us again how you felt when you were selected as the ambassador this time.
It's been a little over a month since I was chosen as the ambassador until today's inauguration ceremony, and now that the ceremony is over, I really feel like I've become an ambassador.
Q. As an ambassador, what kind of activities would you like to do to convey the appeal of structures and buildings?
I've been given the opportunity to focus on structures and buildings that have blended into our daily lives, so I want to use social media to convey how they enrich people's lives and various societies.
Q. Now that you've been appointed, I imagine you want younger generations to learn more about architecture and structures. Please share a message for young people and your peers.
Honestly, it's still an unfamiliar area for some, so I want to convey its appeal through various activities from now on.
I'd be happy if I could find fellow young people to help spread the word with me.
Promoting the Appeal of Buildings to Younger Generations Through Social Media!
Takumi Momose has been appointed as the Nikkenren Awards Ambassador, and we're looking forward to his future activities.
This year's award-winning projects included the baseball stadium "Es Con Field Hokkaido," "MIYASHITA PARK," and "Tokyo Midtown Yaesu," and we're already looking forward to an esports facility winning an award next time!
Also, a special drama featuring Takumi Momose, themed around the "Civil Engineering Award" and "BCS Award," has been released on the Nikkenren official YouTube channel, so be sure to check it out.
For more details on the Nikkenren Awards Ambassador, visit the Nikkenren Awards Ambassador Special Site.
Additionally, the 27 projects that received awards this time can be found on the Nikkenren Awards Special Site.
