Call for Entries for Renovations Improving "Insulation Performance" and "Earthquake Resistance" - 5th "Performance Improvement Renovation Design Award 2026" to be Held

YKK AP Inc. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Akira Uozu) will host the "Performance Improvement Renovation Design Award 2026" to solicit renovation case studies that have improved the "insulation performance" and "earthquake resistance" of used homes, targeting housing businesses nationwide. Applications will be accepted from July 1 to November 23, and outstanding cases will be selected and awarded through public voting and selection by industry experts.

The "Performance Improvement Renovation Design Award" calls for renovation case studies and initiatives that improve "insulation performance" and "earthquake resistance" under the theme of "Creating a New Standard for Homes of the Future." By focusing on the process of performance improvement renovations that realize ideal lifestyles and living, the award visualizes the value of renovations and recognizes excellent examples. The dedicated website will showcase submitted entries, and awards will be selected through public voting, open to anyone, and a final selection meeting by industry experts.

Through this award, YKK AP aims to promote and disseminate performance improvement renovations as a next-generation option, and to revitalize the renovation market, contributing to the utilization of used homes and carbon neutrality.

"Performance Improvement Renovation Design Award 2025" Award-Winning Works Booklet to be Published Again This Year

This year, a booklet will be published detailing the renovation contents of all 55 award-winning works from last year's "Performance Improvement Renovation Design Award 2025," focusing on the improvement processes for "insulation performance" and "earthquake resistance." It will also include information on subsidies that can be utilized when considering performance improvement renovations, such as the "Leading Project for Sustainable Buildings, etc. (※)" and the obligation for architectural review procedures for large-scale renovations of wooden detached houses, which came into effect in April 2025. Furthermore, it summarizes the benefits and checkpoints for renovating used homes, allowing individuals to find renovations that suit them. It also includes points useful for self-checking homes and choosing a construction company. It is scheduled to be released in bookstores and online bookstores nationwide from July 21.

[Performance Improvement Renovation Style Book: Energy Saving with Insulation x Peace of Mind with Earthquake Resistance Vol. 4]

Planning: YKK AP Inc.

Publisher: Shinken Shinbunsha Co., Ltd.

Release Date: Scheduled for July 21, 2026

※ If the "ZEH-level insulation and energy-saving renovation project for used homes" proposed by the "Performance Improvement Renovation Association" is adopted as a FY2024 Leading Project for Sustainable Buildings, etc. (CO2 Reduction Leading Type) and meets the conditions, subsidies from members of the Performance Improvement Renovation Association can be utilized.

"Performance Improvement Renovation Design Award 2026" Overview

Applications will be accepted on the dedicated website. Submitted entries can also be viewed on the same site, and public voting is available. For details, please refer to the dedicated website.

"Performance Improvement Renovation Design Award 2026" Dedicated Website

https://pirenoaward.ykkap.co.jp/

・Application Period: July 1, 2026 (Wed) - November 23, 2026 (Mon, Holiday)

・Voting Period: July 1, 2026 (Wed) - January 31, 2027 (Sun)

・Eligibility: Must be a renovation property that has improved insulation or earthquake resistance performance (completion date of renovation is not specified).

・Applicant Qualifications: Reform/Renovation Businesses / Construction Companies / Architectural Firms / Real Estate Businesses / Builders / House Manufacturers

・Application Requirements:

・Obtain consent from the homeowner for image and information publication.

・Compliance with laws and regulations.

・Applications are accepted not only for detached house renovations but also for condominium renovations and zone insulation renovations.

・Multiple entries per company are allowed.

・Attach documentation proving insulation and earthquake resistance performance.

※ Non-members of the "Performance Improvement Renovation Association" can also apply (however, the provision of registration certificates and web icons is limited to members).

・Application Categories (Search Categories for End Users)

Housing Type

Detached House / Condominium

Type of Performance Improvement

Insulation + Earthquake Resistance / Insulation / Earthquake Resistance / Zone Insulation + Earthquake Resistance / Zone Insulation

Existing Building Age

Before 1981 / Before 2000 / After 2000

Renovation Scheme

Owner-Occupied Renovation/Reform / Purchase of Used Property + Renovation / Already Renovated Property / Model House/Experience Facility

Price Range

Less than 5 million yen / 5 million yen or more, less than 10 million yen /

10 million yen or more, less than 15 million yen / 15 million yen or more, less than 20 million yen /

20 million yen or more, less than 25 million yen / 25 million yen or more, less than 30 million yen /

30 million yen or more, less than 35 million yen / 35 million yen or more, less than 40 million yen /

40 million yen or more

・Evaluation Criteria:

1. Planning that pursues comfort and well-being in living through insulation and energy-saving renovations, leading to improved comfort and health. 2. Initiatives to ensure earthquake resistance for safe and continuous living by raising disaster preparedness awareness, and proposals for longevity and maintenance management of the house. 3. Examples that incorporate ingenuity in equipment design such as air conditioning, ventilation, and hot water supply, and utilize natural energy such as solar power. 4. Ingenuity, environmental considerations, PR activities, etc., in the process to convey the appeal of performance improvement renovations in line with the theme "Creating a New Standard for Homes of the Future."

・Selection Method: General voting by end-users and professional users, and selection of nominated works based on the four evaluation criteria. From the nominated works, awards will be selected at a final selection meeting by industry experts.

・Selection Committee:

Masayuki Mae, Associate Professor, Ph.D. (Engineering), Department of Architecture, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo

Masayoshi Takeuchi, Professor, Tohoku University of Art and Design; Representative Director, Energy Town Development Co., Ltd.

Co-representative, mikan-gumi Inc.; Director, Passive House Japan

Minoru Sato, Principal, M's Structural Engineers / Structural Engineering School

Kazuya Kotani, Representative, Kazuya Kotani Design Office, Masterplan Inc.

Hirofumi Uchiyama, Chairman, Renovation Council; Representative Director, u.company Inc.

Representative Director, Japan.asset management Inc.

Representative Director, Tsukuba Machinaka Design Inc.

Yusei Miura, Representative Director and President, Shinken Shinbunsha Co., Ltd.; Publisher, Shinken Housing / Renovation Journal

Yoshinori Fukuda, Senior Managing Director, Reform Industry Newspaper Co., Ltd.

Naiko Ito, "Kurashikata Boukenka" (Adventure in Living) / Creative Director

・Awards: Grand Prize / Excellence Award / Condominium Award / Zone Insulation Award / Selection Committee Award / YKK AP Award / Special Award

※ Depending on the number of applications and the results of the selection, awards may not be given to any works.

[Reference Information]

"Performance Improvement Renovation Design Award 2025" Results: Last year, there were 126 applications.

Grand Prize "Hatoyama NT 10 Building Project Vol.1 Kaedegaoka House" https://pirenoaward.ykkap.co.jp/entry/2025/527/

Project Owner: Yume Kenchiku Kobo Co., Ltd. (Saitama Prefecture) https://yumekenchiku.co.jp/

● Insulation Performance UA Value: 0.26W/m2・K after renovation ● Earthquake Resistance Performance Upper Structure Rating: 2.03 after renovation

Insulation for Energy Saving x Earthquake Resistance for Peace of Mind: Performance Improvement Renovation Style Book Vol. 1-3

The Style Book provides detailed introductions to all award-winning works, as well as basic knowledge about insulation and earthquake resistance, and a list of construction companies nationwide that can be consulted for performance improvement renovations. It contains useful information for those considering performance improvement renovations.

● Performance Improvement Renovation Style Book Website:

https://pirenoaward.ykkap.co.jp/stylebook/

About the "Performance Improvement Renovation Association"

Launched in October 2021, targeting housing businesses nationwide with the aim of revitalizing the renovation of used detached houses. It supports the expansion of the performance improvement renovation business for used detached houses by sharing methods and know-how for improving insulation performance that minimizes the effects of external temperature changes and earthquake resistance performance through structural reinforcement of the building's framework, from technical support to promotion. As of June 2026, there are approximately 680 member companies.

● Performance Improvement Renovation Association Website: https://pireno.ykkap.co.jp/

A video is available that clearly explains the significance and purpose of "performance improvement renovations" that YKK AP is focusing on.

● Video Title: GO! YKK AP Vol. 5 "What is Performance Improvement Renovation!?"

● Video URL: https://youtu.be/ioSt_SuoTpE?si=QCTpYFyxU1jg4LHL

<Contact Information for Inquiries>

YKK AP Inc. Customer Service Center

For General Customers TEL: 0120-20-4134

For Architects and Designers TEL: 0120-72-4134

https://www.ykkap.co.jp