日本岐阜縣郡上八幡是「食品模型」的發源地，繼去年 8 月長良川鐵道株式會社與當地的模型始祖企業「岩崎模型村」推出食品觀光列車，在車廂內設計一系列因為列車行駛而東倒西歪的家常料理，勾起許多乘客搭火車時會在車上飲食的記憶。

今年長良川鐵道再度攜手當地食品公司岩崎，推出「荷包蛋、培根、鰻魚」擬真造型車票，握在手中似乎都能聞得到香氣，販售至 1/31；而因為食品觀光列車推出後人氣飆升，官方也宣布將行駛到今年 9 月。這項結合在地文化與觀光巧思的創意，不僅讓旅人體驗到郡上八幡的獨特魅力，也將食品模型的技藝推廣至更遼闊的舞台。

食品模型的發源地

在餐廳櫥窗裡經常看見的豬排飯、拉麵食品模型，每次都讓人食指大動，這項技術則是由出生於日本岐阜縣郡上八幡的「岩崎瀧三」率先創立的。距今 94 年前，岩崎先生就投入了食品模型的研發與製作，使用「蠟」捕捉料理最迷人的瞬間，並打造出史上第一個不能吃的「歐姆蛋」模型，將它命名為「記念歐姆（記念オム）」。

此後，他不僅成立了「岩崎模型製作所」，更讓食品模型製作成為當地的特色產業，在 1965 年岩崎先生逝世後，當地居民也為了紀念他而成立「岩崎模型村」，民眾可以到此參觀岩崎先生的創業經歷，購買或是親手製作自己的食品模型，郡上八幡也因此被譽為「食品模型的故鄉」。

在地美食觀光列車

去年 8 月日本長良川鐵道則首次與岩崎模型村合作，打造了「食品模型觀光列車」，在車廂內可見壽司、糯米團子、烤魚等日本家庭常見料理，窗台上還有跌倒的雪糕和咖啡罐等，拉環上的布丁則快要滑下去了！多數的食品模型皆配合列車行進製作出快要打翻的效果，讓民眾能拍出生動又有趣的照片，也因為在推出後大受歡迎，所以官方將行駛期間延長到今年 9 月。

美味早餐造型車票

而近日長良川鐵道再聯手食品模型公司岩崎，推出擬真「荷包蛋、培根、鰻魚」造型一日車票，大人票分別有荷包蛋和鰻魚造型，售價為 3,500 日圓（NT$727），兒童票則是培根造型，售價為 2,150 日圓（NT$447），販售至 1/31，票券持有者還可以參加辨別食物真偽的挑戰，闖關成功後即可獲得神秘小禮物，有興趣的民眾可以至「美濃太田車站」購買。

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全球有許多享譽國際的設計獎項，例如普立茲克建築獎 (Pritzker Architecture Prize)、英國皇家建築師學會獎 (RIBA Awards)、美國建築師學會金獎 (AIA Awards) 、德國紅點設計獎 (Red dot design award) 以及德國 iF 設計獎 (iF Design Award) 等等，每個獎項都有其獨特的評選標準與價值觀，推動不同層面的設計發展。

身為國際設計獎項的評審之一，我曾擔任 iF Design Award 和 FRAME Award 的評審委員，而這次，我也有幸參與 2024 世界建築節 (World Architecture Festival，簡稱 WAF) 與世界室內設計節 (Inside World Festival of Interiors，簡稱 INSIDE) 「Small Project of the Year」 的評選過程，我希望透過這篇文章，帶你一探 WAF 評選背後的幕後故事。

𝟭｜評審過程從不只是美麗的照片

2024 年 WAF 吸引來自全球 71 個國家的 350 間事務所，其中包括札哈·哈蒂 (Zaha Hadid)、諾曼·福士特 (Norman Foster)、BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) 等知名事務所，共計 800 件作品參賽。評選過程首先仔細篩選，縮減至 480 個入圍專案。在 WAF，獲獎從來不只是因為一張漂亮的照片。評選過程更像是一場馬拉松，一場為期三天的現場競賽，每個入圍團隊都必須親自到現場向評審和聽眾簡報，每組有十分鐘介紹專案，接着是十分鐘與評審的熱烈問答環節。沒有預錄的宣傳影片，只有建築師在現場捍衞自己的理念。

而最關鍵的是——贏得類別獎項並不是終點。各項類別得獎者會進一步競逐「年度大獎 (Project of the Year)」，與全球頂尖作品同台較勁。這意味着，Small Project 不僅能與國際知名專案一較高下，更突顯設計競賽的公平性。在這個舞台上，影響力不取決於專案預算的多寡，而是來自設計的深度與理念的強度。無論是大型開發案還是小型空間，每個專案都被賦予同等機會，只要能夠展現創意與影響力，都有可能脫穎而出。

這次我有幸與兩位業界領袖們並肩評選：

・AJC Architects 的執行長兼設計總監 Michael Heenan，以大膽且永續的澳洲建築聞名
・Dubbeldam Architecture + Design 的負責人的 Heather Dubbeldam，是加拿大永續建築與空間敘事的佼佼者

我們並非總是意見一致。有評審着重於技術精準度，有評審關注於永續性，而我，作為來自亞洲的評審，更能理解亞洲地區在建築設計上的挑戰與機會。因此，在評選過程中，我也特別關注如何在全球視角下，確保亞洲的建築語境與文化脈絡能夠被完整呈現，不至於讓評選過於偏向西方視角。這些觀點的碰撞，正是 WAF 評選的強大之處—— 它不只是個人觀點，而是一場推動建築向前發展的嚴謹討論。

𝟮｜為什麼 Small Project 反而更厲害？

「Small Project of the Year」是個有趣的類別。大型建築或許能用規模取勝，但微型專案的競爭力來自於對智慧與巧思的極致發揮。當預算、空間或材料受限，反而激發出純粹的設計思維，證明偉大的建築不在於規模的大小，而在於創意的深度與所能產生的影響力。

此外，Small Project 提供一個更具包容性的競賽環境，讓來自新興國家的建築師，以及規模較精簡的建築事務所，也能在國際舞台上展現實力。特別是在亞洲，許多建築師較難以接觸大規模專案或擁有龐大的客戶資源，但透過這樣的平台，他們的創意仍然能夠被世界看見，與全球頂尖設計人才同場較勁。這正是這類獎項的價值所在——它提供一個公平競爭的機會，讓更多獨特且具影響力的設計理念得以被發掘與欣賞，甚至改變我們對未來空間的想像。

今年的入圍作品令人驚艷：

・新加坡 Formwerkz Architects 的「寧靜寵物火化場 (Sanctuary Pet Crematorium)」，一個充滿撫慰人心力量的空間，重新定義我們如何與摯愛寵物道別。

・賽普勒斯共和國 Kyriakos Tsolakis Architects 的「國家星象觀測站 (National Star Observatory)」，把觀星的浪漫與景觀完美融合的功能性觀景台。

・中國 LIN Architecture 的「混凝土亭 – 泵站 (Concrete Pavilion-Pumping Station)」，抽水站也能變身為公共建築雕塑。

・日本手塚建築研究所 (Tezuka Architects) 的「Fushi 日式旅館」，室內外空間自然融合，兼顧簡約與優雅。

最讓我印象深刻的是，每個專案都講述一個強而有力的故事。有些挑戰空間的既定類型，重新詮釋其可能性；有些則在永續性上下足功夫，善用再生材料與智慧型被動式設計。每個細節都精準到位，因為在小型專案中，細節決定成敗。

𝟯｜得獎真的重要嗎？

這是一個設計圈永遠都會討論的問題：得到獎項真的那麼重要嗎？

有人認為好的設計不需要外界認可，它自然會發光發熱。也有人相信，獎項能為設計師帶來可信度、知名度和機會，尤其對新興的事務所至關重要。

對我而言，獎項的真正價值不在於捧回獎盃，而在於參與其中的整個過程。提交作品時，建築師必須反思自己的創作，重新釐清設計理念，思考為什麼這個專案值得被看見，並將其置於全球脈絡中進行對話。而在評審面前簡報，更是一場捍衞設計初衷、磨練敘事能力的絕佳機會。

以今年的得獎者日本手塚建築研究所（Tezuka Architects）為例，他們已在業界深耕數十年，並不需要再靠獎項證明自己。但他們依然選擇參賽，持續挑戰自我。對我來說，這才是最重要的——不要自滿，不要停下前進的腳步。

最後感想：持續突破極限

擔任 WAF/INSIDE 評審，讓我想起比建築更重要的事情：成功不是抵達終點，而是不斷追求更高的目標。無論你是建築師、設計師，或是從事完全不同的領域，這個道理都適用：

・挑戰鞭策自我，時時追問「還能不能更好？」
・即使不被要求，也要勇於迎戰，成長往往藏在過程之中
・永不停止精進自己的技藝，設計的本質就是持續進化

因為到最後，我總是說：「 敢於夢想不可能，方能創造無限可能。 」

2024 年 WAF 吸引來自全球 71 個國家的 350 間事務所，共計 800 件作品參賽。由 140 位評審組成的專業評審團，從 480 個入圍專案中，精選出 44 項 WAF/INSIDE 類別得獎者及年度大獎得主。資料來源：WAF

What』s Behind a Design Award? Inside the Jury Room at WAF 2024

Design awards always have a bit of mystery around them—who really decides the winners? What happens behind the scenes? And does winning even matter?

There are numerous internationally renowned design awards worldwide, such as the Pritzker Architecture Prize, the RIBA Awards, the AIA Gold Medal, the Red Dot Design Award from Germany, and the iF Design Award from Germany. Each of these awards has its own unique evaluation criteria and values, driving the evolution of design across different dimensions.

As one of the judges for international design awards, I have served on the jury for the iF Design Award and the FRAME Award. This time, I am also honored to take part as a jury member for the Small Project of the Year at the World Architecture Festival (WAF) 2024, I got an inside look at the process, the debates, and the drama that unfolds.

There are three big takeaways from my experience:

𝟭｜The Jury Process: More Than Just Pretty Pictures

The 2024 WAF attracted 350 firms including big names like Zaha Hadid, Norman Foster, BIG, and alike from 71 countries worldwide, with a total of 800 submissions. The selection process began with a thorough screening, narrowing the entries down to 480 shortlisted projects*. At WAF, winning isn』t just about having the most stunning project photos. The judging process is a three-day live competition, where architecture is put to the test. Each shortlisted team is flown in to present their project in person. Every team gets 10 minutes to present, followed by 10 minutes of intense Q&A. No pre-recorded sales pitches—just architects defending their ideas in real-time.

And here』s the kicker—winning your category isn』t the final stop. If you take home a category win, you』re entered into the Project of the Year competition, where the best of the best battle it out. This means a small project can go head-to-head with major global icons, proving that impact matters more than scale. This means that smaller projects can stand shoulder to shoulder with globally renowned names, highlighting the fairness of the design competition. Whether it’s a large-scale development or a micro-space, every project is given the same opportunity— influence is not determined by budget size but by the depth of creativity and the power of its impact.

The jury? This year, I had the honor of sitting alongside industry leaders:

・Michael Heenan, CEO and Design Lead at AJC Architects, known for bold, sustainable Australian architecture.
・Heather Dubbeldam, Principal of Dubbeldam Architecture + Design, a Canadian powerhouse blending sustainability and spatial storytelling.

We didn』t always agree. Some jurors focused on technical precision, others on sustainability, as a judge from Asia, I understand the challenges and opportunities in architectural design across the region. Therefore, during the evaluation process, I pay special attention to ensuring that Asia’s architectural context and cultural narratives are fairly represented from a global perspective, preventing the selection from being overly skewed toward a Western viewpoint. It was a battle of minds, but that』s what makes the WAF selection so powerful— it』s not just one person』s opinion, but a rigorous discussion that pushes architecture forward.

𝟮｜Why Small is Great

There』s something special about the Small Project of the Year category. Big buildings can impress with scale, but small projects must impress with intelligence. With limited budgets, space, or materials, these projects prove that great architecture isn』t about size—it』s about creativity and impact.

Moreover, small-scale projects create a more inclusive competitive environment, allowing architects from smaller countries and smaller architectural firms to showcase their talents on the international stage. This is especially significant in Asia, where many architects have limited access to large-scale projects or extensive client resources. Through such platforms, their creativity can still be recognized globally, enabling them to compete alongside top design talents from around the world. This is precisely the value of these awards—they provide a fair opportunity for competition, allowing more unique and influential design concepts to be discovered and appreciated, even shaping the way we envision future spaces.

This year』s shortlist was a showcase of innovation:

・Sanctuary Pet Crematorium by Formwerkz Architects (Singapore) – A deeply moving, tranquil space that transforms how we say goodbye to pets.

・National Star Observatory by Kyriakos Tsolakis Architects (Cyprus) – A functional observatory that blends seamlessly into the landscape.

・Concrete Pavilion-Pumping Station by LIN Architecture (China) – A pumping station turned architectural sculpture.

・Fushi by Tezuka Architects (Japan) – A perfect fusion of interior and exterior, balancing simplicity with elegance.

What struck me the most was how each project told a powerful story. Some challenged typologies, redefining what certain spaces could be. Others tackled sustainability, using reclaimed materials and smart passive design. Every project was precise—because in small projects, every single detail counts.

𝟯｜Do Awards Even Matter?

Here』s the big debate—is winning a design award actually important?

Some argue that good design should stand on its own, without the need for external validation. Others believe that awards give architects credibility, visibility, and opportunities, especially for emerging firms.

For me, the value of an award isn』t just in holding a trophy—it』s in the process. Submitting a project forces architects to reflect on their work, articulate their ideas, and engage in a global conversation. Presenting in front of a jury means having to defend your decisions and refine your storytelling.

Take Tezuka Architects, this year』s winner of Small Project of the Year. They』ve been in the industry for decades. They don』t need awards. Yet they still compete. They still put themselves out there, and still challenge themselves. That, to me, is what matters—never settling, never stopping.

Final Thoughts: Keep Pushing Boundaries

Being on the WAF jury this year reminded me of something bigger than architecture:

Success isn』t about reaching a finish line—it』s about always striving for more.

Whether you』re an architect, designer, or in a completely different field, the lesson is the same:

・Push yourself.
・Compete, even when you don』t have to.
・Never stop refining your craft.

Because in the end, I often say: 「 Those who dare to dream the impossible are the ones who shape the future. 」

The 2024 World Architecture Festival (WAF) attracted 350 firms from 71 countries worldwide, totalling 800 project entries. A professional jury of 140 judges carefully selected 44 WAF/INSIDE category winners and the overall grand prize winners from a shortlist of 480 projects. Source:WAF