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"SRF" is a tough, durable fabric that wraps reinforced concrete (RC), making them antiseismic, safer and more durable. This new technology enabled us to easily build structures that are much lighter and safer with lower cost. The effectiveness of SRF was proven in the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Structural Quality Assurance, Inc., which developed SRF, is the sponsor of this contest. The company aims to contribute to society in the new century and create safe and comfortable environment for all people by utilizing innovative new technologies such as SRF, drastically changing the concept of conventional disaster countermeasures. Let's take a closer look at entry requirements and discuss what is required in a proposal. "Tou-Ryu-Mon" will give you insight we gained through exclusive interview with the sponsor along with some useful tips.

Although we have come across advertisements for many contests in the past, this copy was actually surprising to us. As you read this column, you will understand that the "Warrior" mentioned in the copy is only a metaphor. They are not looking for the fourth cyborg, warrior or a mascot character.
So what do they mean by the word "Warrior"? They mean innovative technologies against disasters and venture-like business mindset that would revolutionize the industry. They are looking for the "Fourth" warrior. This means that they currently have three existing warriors and now looking for the fourth one.
If we find out who the first warrior (or the leader) is, and what he is looking for in a new member (in other words, what he is looking for in the proposal), we should be able to find a way to winning the competition

He is probably a businessman, maybe before transforming to a Superman…or maybe this is actually his fighting gear.
The official website tells us that he is a "entrepreneur whose weapon is innovative technology" and defends buildings against earthquakes using SRF reinforced bandaging. It also says he has reinforced over 10,000 columns.
Okay, so this story is about the sponsor, Structural Quality Assuarance, Inc.
SRF wraps tough and durable fabric around square columns. The company is committed to becoming an innovator and makes great efforts in the field. All these characteristics were put into "Bandage Man".

You will understand it if you read the part before the entry requirements. It says "Another revolutionary technology designed to make cities safer and more comfortable is GAINA, developed by Nissin Sangyo. GAINA is a ceramic multi-layered coating material that suppresses heat transfer, and has been proven to greatly reduce electricity consumption when used in combination with SRF on buildings in cities." So this is the second warrior "GAINA Man", a ceramic warrior who defies convention. The third warrior is a new heroine in the field of genetic engineering, "Gene Woman". They say "Currently SRF bandaging is made from polyester, but could, with genetic engineering, be turned into a thinner, sleeker fiber that is stronger and even more tear resistant."
So the story line is that bandage material is a tough material, but by applying paint and improving the bandage material, SRF will become even more innovative and powerful.
That is the base of the contest concept, "Seeking other innovative concepts and technologies like these from around the world; new ideas that can contribute to the safety and comfort of cities in twenty-first century city planning"
It sounds like any ideas are welcome.
Improvement of SRF is one way and creating something powerful by using SRF is another way to approach. You could also come up with ideas not necessarily relating to SRF, but ideas to realize safe and comfortable environment.
The sponsor told us that "The first threat the first warrior faces is earthquakes and Tsunami, the second threat is heat island effect, and the third threat is the deterioration of the buildings."
His mission is to confront earthquakes and tsunami by wrapping columns with tough fabric, confront heat island effects by controlling heat transfer, and confront deterioration by creating strong and shred-resistant thread using genetic engineering.
By overcoming these challenges, we can make our cities safe and comfortable. So why are they looking for the fourth warrior? They want the fourth warrior to tackle the unknown fourth challenge.
In other words, they want you to point out a new problem that goes beyond earthquakes and tsunami, heat island effect and deterioration of buildings and come up with ideas on how to deal with those challenges.

"Simple ideas for safety and comfort in urban planning" means that they are looking for free-minded ideas such as new concept, business scheme, product, program or something related to architecutre.
However, you should keep it realistic to some extent. As the website says, "We are seeking other innovative concepts and technologies like these from around the world", your proposal should be based on technologies and materials that are realistic although this is for the General category, not special category. According to the entry guide, "All sketches, photographs, designs, posters, text or other content should be assembled on a single page". You should try to express your idea the best way you can and convert it to an image file for submission.

We feel this is a contest with a huge vision. Architectural contests are usually based on either specific location or property or something more abstract or future-minded. This contest stands in a unique position as it requires both future-minded and specific ideas. Since this is only the second time this contest is held, it's not widely known despite its size and top level judges. This is a big chance!
(Editor of "Tou-Ryu-Mon": Yamazaki)