Students Challenge the Exploration of Vacant Houses and Regional Value. 8-Month Industry-Academia Collaboration Course Starts in Omi, an Important Cultural Landscape
SAWAMURA Co., Ltd., in collaboration with Seian University of Art and Design and the Omi Waterfront Landscape Town Development Council, has launched an 8-month practical industry-academia collaboration course in the Omi area of Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture, an Important Cultural Landscape. 24 students will tackle the theme of vacant house utilization, exploring solutions to regional issues through circular design thinking, with results to be presented at the "SAWAMURA Marche" in November.
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- 📰 Published: April 30, 2026 at 18:50
- 🔍 Collected: April 30, 2026 at 10:31
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SAWAMURA Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Koichiro Sawamura; hereinafter "SAWAMURA"), which develops construction, real estate, and regional co-creation businesses based in Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture, will start a practical course in collaboration with Seian University of Art and Design (Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture) and the Omi Waterfront Landscape Town Development Council (Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture; hereinafter "Machikyo").
The stage for this course is the Katsuno area of Takashima City (hereinafter "Omi"), which has been selected as a National Important Cultural Landscape. Starting with fieldwork in April 2026, the course will run for approximately eight months until the results presentation at the "SAWAMURA Marche" in November. 24 students will take on the challenge of exploring and visualizing the characteristics, issues, ongoing changes, and trends of the region, and proposing solutions to be shared on-site, all under the theme of "Vacant House Utilization."
■ Background and Purpose of Collaboration: Transforming Vacant Houses into "Regional Assets" through the Power of Design
In Omi, which has been selected as a National Important Cultural Landscape, the increase in vacant houses due to the outflow of the working population and the aging of the population is a serious issue. How can vacant houses, which could become a "negative legacy" that undermines regional vitality if left unattended, be brought back into society? This course adopts the concept of "Circular Design" (design for a circular society), which goes beyond mere reuse (recycling) to redesign the social system itself, to address the issue of vacant house utilization. By co-creating with Seian University of Art and Design, which possesses the flexible ideas unique to an art university, and SAWAMURA and Machikyo, which have expertise in community-rooted construction and town development, the aim is to create a catalyst for solving regional issues and realize a model case for sustainable town development.
■ Course Overview: Theme is "Circular Design (Design for a Circular Society)"
This course will utilize the "SAWAMURA Marche" hosted by SAWAMURA in November 2026 as a venue for social implementation. Students will exhibit and implement projects they have devised through regional fieldwork and dialogues with vacant house owners. This will create an opportunity for local residents to think about the future of their region and for students themselves to learn about the impact of design on society through practical experience.
Course Name:
Project Exercise A1
Project Exercise B1
Course Theme:
Circular Design / Vacant House Utilization
Course Period:
April 2026 - December 2026 (*tentative)
Target:
All grades and departments of Seian University of Art and Design
Course Plan:
◆ April
Regional fieldwork, understanding the Omi region
◆ May - June
Group work (planning outputs for the Marche)
Interviews with vacant house owners and tenants
◆ July 1 (Wed) 18:50-20:30
Presentation
[Evaluators] SAWAMURA Co., Ltd., Omi Waterfront Landscape Town Development Council
◆ September 16 (Wed)
Review and improvement of project plans
◆ September 30 (Wed)
Report on summer vacation achievements
◆ October
Group work (preparation for the Marche)
◆ November 8 (Sun)
SAWAMURA Marche main event
◆ November - December
Review and final reflection
■ Media Coverage Points: The Process of "Social Design" Challenged by Students
Media representatives can cover the process of students earnestly facing real-world issues and growing through dialogue with local residents throughout the year.
For interviews and photography of local residents, vacant house owners, and external stakeholders other than the three parties (SAWAMURA, Seian University of Art and Design, and Machikyo), our public relations department will coordinate individually for smooth progress. Please inquire in advance if you wish to cover.
・Regional fieldwork and interviews with vacant house owners (late April - May, Omi area)
・Group work (May - June, October, Seian University of Art and Design)
・Project presentation for "SAWAMURA Marche" (July 1 (Wed) 18:50-, Seian University of Art and Design)
・Exhibition and projects utilizing vacant houses on the day of "SAWAMURA Marche" (November 8 (Sun), Omi area)
■ Current Report: Fieldwork Course Conducted in April
1. Fieldwork to walk the region and experience its history and challenges
Under the guidance of "Machikyo" guides, fieldwork was conducted in the Omi area. Students learned about the historical background and current issues of the region by actually walking through the historic townscape and unique spring water culture.
2. Appreciation of art exhibitions where vacant houses become a place for dialogue
As part of the Shiga Prefectural Museum of Art's project "ASK," students viewed an exhibition utilizing vacant houses by the art unit "Kyun-Chome." Witnessing how spaces with traces of daily life took on new meaning through the power of art, students learned about the potential of space and the diversity of its utilization.
3. A place for reflection to visualize sensibility
After the fieldwork, students reflected on the charm of Omi and their impressions of vacant houses.
The stage for this course is the Katsuno area of Takashima City (hereinafter "Omi"), which has been selected as a National Important Cultural Landscape. Starting with fieldwork in April 2026, the course will run for approximately eight months until the results presentation at the "SAWAMURA Marche" in November. 24 students will take on the challenge of exploring and visualizing the characteristics, issues, ongoing changes, and trends of the region, and proposing solutions to be shared on-site, all under the theme of "Vacant House Utilization."
■ Background and Purpose of Collaboration: Transforming Vacant Houses into "Regional Assets" through the Power of Design
In Omi, which has been selected as a National Important Cultural Landscape, the increase in vacant houses due to the outflow of the working population and the aging of the population is a serious issue. How can vacant houses, which could become a "negative legacy" that undermines regional vitality if left unattended, be brought back into society? This course adopts the concept of "Circular Design" (design for a circular society), which goes beyond mere reuse (recycling) to redesign the social system itself, to address the issue of vacant house utilization. By co-creating with Seian University of Art and Design, which possesses the flexible ideas unique to an art university, and SAWAMURA and Machikyo, which have expertise in community-rooted construction and town development, the aim is to create a catalyst for solving regional issues and realize a model case for sustainable town development.
■ Course Overview: Theme is "Circular Design (Design for a Circular Society)"
This course will utilize the "SAWAMURA Marche" hosted by SAWAMURA in November 2026 as a venue for social implementation. Students will exhibit and implement projects they have devised through regional fieldwork and dialogues with vacant house owners. This will create an opportunity for local residents to think about the future of their region and for students themselves to learn about the impact of design on society through practical experience.
Course Name:
Project Exercise A1
Project Exercise B1
Course Theme:
Circular Design / Vacant House Utilization
Course Period:
April 2026 - December 2026 (*tentative)
Target:
All grades and departments of Seian University of Art and Design
Course Plan:
◆ April
Regional fieldwork, understanding the Omi region
◆ May - June
Group work (planning outputs for the Marche)
Interviews with vacant house owners and tenants
◆ July 1 (Wed) 18:50-20:30
Presentation
[Evaluators] SAWAMURA Co., Ltd., Omi Waterfront Landscape Town Development Council
◆ September 16 (Wed)
Review and improvement of project plans
◆ September 30 (Wed)
Report on summer vacation achievements
◆ October
Group work (preparation for the Marche)
◆ November 8 (Sun)
SAWAMURA Marche main event
◆ November - December
Review and final reflection
■ Media Coverage Points: The Process of "Social Design" Challenged by Students
Media representatives can cover the process of students earnestly facing real-world issues and growing through dialogue with local residents throughout the year.
For interviews and photography of local residents, vacant house owners, and external stakeholders other than the three parties (SAWAMURA, Seian University of Art and Design, and Machikyo), our public relations department will coordinate individually for smooth progress. Please inquire in advance if you wish to cover.
・Regional fieldwork and interviews with vacant house owners (late April - May, Omi area)
・Group work (May - June, October, Seian University of Art and Design)
・Project presentation for "SAWAMURA Marche" (July 1 (Wed) 18:50-, Seian University of Art and Design)
・Exhibition and projects utilizing vacant houses on the day of "SAWAMURA Marche" (November 8 (Sun), Omi area)
■ Current Report: Fieldwork Course Conducted in April
1. Fieldwork to walk the region and experience its history and challenges
Under the guidance of "Machikyo" guides, fieldwork was conducted in the Omi area. Students learned about the historical background and current issues of the region by actually walking through the historic townscape and unique spring water culture.
2. Appreciation of art exhibitions where vacant houses become a place for dialogue
As part of the Shiga Prefectural Museum of Art's project "ASK," students viewed an exhibition utilizing vacant houses by the art unit "Kyun-Chome." Witnessing how spaces with traces of daily life took on new meaning through the power of art, students learned about the potential of space and the diversity of its utilization.
3. A place for reflection to visualize sensibility
After the fieldwork, students reflected on the charm of Omi and their impressions of vacant houses.