OLIVE: A Beacon of Hope in Times of Disaster

Eisuke Tachikawa's Award-Winning Design for Disaster Survival

The inspiration for OLIVE came from the overwhelming amount of information shared online following the earthquake. Tachikawa and his team realized the need for a centralized platform to store and organize this crucial data. Thus, OLIVE was born, a wiki site dedicated to gathering and sharing practical knowledge during a disaster.

The name OLIVE is a combination of the letter O, an emblem of the Japanese national flag, and the word LIVE, symbolizing the will to survive. The site quickly became a hub for ideas on how to build necessities in affected areas without supplies. Within three weeks, OLIVE had achieved over one million page views and continues to expand as a database of disaster countermeasures.

What sets OLIVE apart is its use of collective intelligence. By harnessing the power of the internet, Tachikawa and his team have created a resource that is constantly evolving and adapting to new challenges. This innovative approach to disaster management has not gone unnoticed. In 2021, OLIVE was awarded the Golden A' Social Design Award, a prestigious accolade granted to designs that reflect extraordinary excellence and significantly impact the world with their desirable characteristics.

OLIVE is more than just a website; it is a testament to the power of collective intelligence and the resilience of the human spirit. As Tachikawa and his team continue to develop and expand the platform, they are providing a beacon of hope for those affected by disasters, demonstrating the potential of design to make a real and lasting difference in the world.

The Golden A' Social Design Award is a testament to the innovative and impactful nature of OLIVE. This recognition is a reflection of Tachikawa's commitment to using design as a tool for social good, and a reminder of the potential for design to create meaningful change in the world.