We actively promote Shimizu's own educational programs and other educational activities for children, young people, and the community.
Shimizu Open Academy
Shimizu conducts the Shimizu Open Academy to convey the joy in craftsmanship and the finer points of construction to young people.
This program received an Outstanding Practice award from the Architectural Institute of Japan in fiscal 2011 for its contribution to education, and received an achievement award from the Japan Association for Earthquake Engineering in 2013.
Since 2018, we have received “This is MECENAT” certification from the Association for Corporate Support of the Arts.
See Shimizu Open Academy for further details.(Content from this point onward is only in Japanese.)
| FY 2021 | Cumulative (since 2008) | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of lecture participants | 824 | 56,951 |
| Number of times held | 25 groups | 1,848 groups |
（as of March 31, 2022）
In fiscal 2021, the bulk of our offerings were online due to COVID-19, so the number of participants decreased.
"Adventures in Forest-building" Adopt-a-Forest Program
Osaka Prefecture has around 56,600 ha of forest, covering one-third of the total area. Management of the forests has been neglected in recent years, and the number of degraded forests is increasing. Meanwhile the number of people who want to enjoy the forests is increasing, and there are calls for a venue for forest-building that can accommodate that desire.
In support of the Adopt-a-Forest Program, our Kansai Branch signed an agreement with the Osaka Prefectural Senshu Office for Agriculture-Forestry Promotion and Nature Conservation and the Osaka Prefectural Youth Retreat, and began Adventure in Forest-building activities. The goal of this program is to help children better understand the connection between the forest and humans by giving them hands-on experience, and to increase their communication skills with people.
Forest lab (nature observation, tree thinning, tree planting, etc.)
Experience working with trees, fallen leaves, and tree nuts and berries
Tree climbing (using a rope)
Outdoor cookout
Wood education activities
As part of its wood education activities, Tokyo Mokkoujou Arts & Crafts Furnishings is engaged in various activities that include woodworking classes and tours of the mill as well as wood education at schools. These activities have received “This is MECENAT” certification from the Association for Corporate Support of the Arts since 2021.
Woodworking classes (nationwide)
Since 2007, we have been holding woodworking classes nationwide to communicate to children the warmth of wood and the joys of monozukuri (craftsmanship). In addition, since 2020, we have been offering at-home woodworking classes and remote wood education activities with a live online feed of the mill.
Factory tours
Tours of Tokyo Mokkoujou Arts & Crafts Furnishings are held for children and educators. We provide opportunities to learn about woodworking techniques, design techniques, and wood.
Wood education at schools
As a part of our school education activities, we teach classes for high school and university students.
Lifelong Learning at Chuo City Community College
Since 2013, Shimizu has delivered one lecture a year in the lifelong learning course held by Chuo City, Tokyo. The course incorporates lectures and workshops that touch on the history and culture of the Chuo City area. We communicate the appeal of architecture to people in the community.
Teachers Accepted into Private Sector Company Training
Shimizu works with the Keizai Koho Center (Japan Institute for Social and Economic Affairs) on the Teachers’ training at private companies it holds each year. Teachers in their 20s and 30s from preschools, high schools and vocational technical schools take a three-day training course. After participants have learned about the construction industry and are given an overview of Shimizu through a lecture-style format, they tour our main office, the Institute of Technology, and Tokyo Mokkoujou Arts and Crafts Furnishings. They also visit a construction site to see actual monozukuri (superb craftsmanship) in progress, and experience the latest in construction technology for themselves.
