PASSIVETOWN®

(Block No.4 and No.5)

Thinking Architecture
— For a Sustainable Society —

PASSIVETOWN® (Block No.4 and No.5)

Concept

PASSIVETOWN® aims to maximize the use of Kurobe’s natural energy resources, creating a sustainable community that offers comfort without excessive dependence on energy consumption.

Featuring a large roof that harmonizes with the mountain range behind it, the “Tampopo” Child Center in Block No.4 is made primarily of locally sourced Kurobe cedar, which accounts for over 80% of the structural materials. Through the use of locally sourced timber and replanting efforts, we have helped to preserve the region’s forests while creating an environment where children can grow up healthily surrounded by the warmth of wood.

Block No.5, representing the culmination of the project, is the first mass timber mid-rise residential in the Hokuriku region, with approximately 90% of its materials sourced from Toyama Prefecture. By circulating local forestry resources while transforming solar power into hydrogen for storage in advanced alloys, this project achieves year-round energy autonomy through seasonal energy shifting. Stored hydrogen powers the community during winter’s peak demand, pioneering a next-generation lifestyle in perfect harmony with Kurobe’s four seasons.

Outline

Block No.4

Completion
March 2022
Location
4016-1 Mikkaichi, Kurobe City, Toyama Prefecture
Use
YKK Group on-site daycare center
Architecture Design
Tomoko Taguchi
(TOMOKO TAGUCHI ARCHITECT & ASSOCIATES)
Landscape
Shunsaku Miyagi
(PLACEMEDIA, Landscape Architects Collaborative.)
Construction
Hirano Komuten K.K
Total premise area
3167.55㎡
Total floor area
469.99㎡
Floors
1 above ground
Structure
Wooden construction (semi-fireproof)

Block No.5

Completion
March 2025
Location
4016-1 Mikkaichi, Kurobe City, Toyama Prefecture
Use
Multi-family residences, community center
Architecture Design
HK ARCHITEKTEN
(Hermann Kaufmann + Partner ZT GmbH)
TAKENAKA CORPORATION
Landscape
Shunsaku Miyagi
(PLACEMEDIA, Landscape Architects Collaborative.)
Construction
TAKENAKA CORPORATION
Total premise area
16,278.33㎡
Total floor area
9,420.15㎡
Floors
One buildings with 1 above ground & Two buildings with 6 above ground
(Total units: 64)
Structure
Wooden construction, reinforced concrete construction (earthquake-resistant)

Related videos

  • *Japanese audio only. Please use YouTube’s translation feature for subtitles.

  • Special Roundtable Discussion / Video

    With its unique approach, PASSIVETOWN® pursues sustainable living spaces, and its final block was completed in July 2025.
    Guided by the vision of Tadahiro Yoshida, Chairman of YKK Real Estate, a diverse range of passive design solutions have been implemented in each block. This video features valuable discussions from the roundtable held to commemorate the project’s completion, including insights from designers and experts on the plan’s intent, overcoming challenges, and future recommendations.

  • Lecture by Professor Shunsaku Miyagi

    PASSIVETOWN®, which pursues sustainable living spaces, saw all blocks completed in 2025 after 15 years of planning.Each of these blocks incorporates a wide range of passive design solutions. A special lecture was held at the completion ceremony in July of that year to mark the completion of all the project’s blocks. This video features a lecture by Professor Shunsaku Miyagi, who was involved in the master plan.

  • Lecture by Hermann Kaufmann

    Block No.5 of PASSIVETOWN®, which pursues sustainable community development, represents the culmination of the project’s vision.
    Together, architect Hermann Kaufmann and Takenaka Corporation achieved both decarbonization and comfort by harnessing wooden construction methods and locally-sourced materials.
    This lecture presents design and construction methods for next-generation multi-family residences utilizing hydrogen storage systems and other cutting-edge technologies.

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