"HAKODATE☆monozukuri Forum"
Architectural Competition 2014

Q & A

*Closed in May 7th the acceptance of the question.

Q1) Can the annex building be demolished and can I propose a new annex building next to the Old Russian Consulate building?

It is possible to demolished the annex attached building, extended building and wall except the Old Russian Consulate building. And Entries can propose to build new annex building within the limit of building coverage and rate of building volume.

Q2) As an overseas participant, in case if my proposed were selected as one of the finalist, should I come to Japan to present to the juries at my own expenses?

Yes it is. The objective of this competition is to appeal importance about the preservation of Old Russian consulate to citizen. It is a necessary requirement to attend at the final selection and explain the proposal by entries oneself.
But if you can not come to the final selection unavoidably, We will consider how to present your proposal to juries.

Q3) Will these buildings be used as a consulate in the future?

This building has been used as consulate till 1944.
After the consulate was closed, these buildings have been used as seminar house for young people. But these were closed for deterioration in 1996.
There is no plan to use these buildings at the present time.

Q4) What kind of buildig are we designing?

Entries can choose any kind of building what they propose according to the competition program and subject freely.

Q5) What type of people will use this building?

Entries can propose any way about who will use this building according to the competition program and subject freely.

Q6) What type of people will work in the building?

Entries can propose any way about who will work at this building according to the competition program and subject freely.

Q7) Which wall were required to preserve by regulation of Hakodate City Government?

The wall of only Old Russian Consulate building is required to preserve except the annex attached building and the extended building.

Q8) Does the building coverage of area rule(1) apply to all buildings entries will propose in the competition site?

The building coverage apply to all buildings area that entries will design in the competition site include the Old Russian Consulate building.
The total building area must be within 60％ of the site area 3,732.23㎡.

Q9) What is the construction of existing buildings in the competition site?

The construction of the Old Russian Consulate building and the annex attached building are half timbering used heavy wood frame and brick wall.
And the construction of the extended building is masonry used concrete block.

Q10) How many persons can be participating on the team maximum?

There is no limit of the person for the team.

Q11) Is a building that entries propose over 13 meters tall breaking the contest rules?

Entries can propose the building over 13 meters tall. But it must be necessary to get the permission by Hakodate City Government.
The restriction of building height by the site boundary line must be observed strictly more than 13 meters height rule.
We add new reference about it for example on official URL of Committee.

Q12) Is it possible to add a basement or underground level to the existing Russian Consulate and use space below grade (0m) on the existing site?

It is possible.

Q13) Is there a basement to the existing Russian Consulate or is there a concrete slab on grade?

The ground under the existing buildings are soil and crushed stone.
The other ground in competition site is only soil. There is no concrete slab.

Q14) What are the arched openings shown on the elevations on the face of the foundation walls?

These are the openings for ventilation.

Q15) How much is the snowfall and snow load in Hakodate.

The snowfall is over 70 centimeter. And snow load is over 20N/㎡ per 1centimeter snowfall.

Q16) Do you know how deep the Russian Consulate's foundation goes below grade?

We don’t have any reference about it.
The depth of frost under the ground in winter is 50 centimeter in Hakodate.

Q17) How is the ceiling high of underground space of the Old Consulate building?

There is boiler room under the first floor of buffet. The ceiling high of the boiler room is about 2 meter. And the ceiling high of the other space is about 1 meter.
The area of boiler room is about 13㎡.

Q18) What is the extent of exterior damage to the existing Russian Consulate building?

The part received serious damage are wooden window frame of salon, the gable of the whole building and rafter. And wooden backing material under the roof is rotten partially by leak.
We add new photograph about it on official URL of Committee.

Q19) Is the objective of the competition to protect and preserve the exterior envelope from further damage?

The objective of this competition is to leave the Old Russian consulate building behind for posterity and to bring about a revolutionary and sustainable method for securing the repair cost by using the building and the site effectively.

Q20) Is the building seismically safe or will it require seismic upgrades as well?

It should be verified about strength and seismically safe when the building will be reused actually, but It is not executed yet. Therefore we don’t have any reference to release for entries about it now. Entries can propose about seismically safe of the building freely but it is not a duty of this program.

Q21) Could you release the sectional detail drawings or photograph about foundation, ground sill, wooden column and beam and brick wall?

We don’t have any drawings about construction of the building.
Please refer to the original drawings by Richard Seel. We add new photograph about it on official URL of Committee.

Q22) Have consul been living in this building when it was used by consulate?

Consul, his family and a private teacher have been on second floor.

Q23) Could you release the drawings by dwg-file?

We add new dwg-files on official URL of Committee.

Q24) Could you release the ceiling high of the room?

We add new reference about it on official URL of Committee.