Merci Kafe by Yuma Sato is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Brončana nagrada A' Design Award in Dizajn Arhitekture, Zgrada i Konstrukcija Competition Category.

BronzaArhitektura· 2025

Merci Kafe

by Yuma Sato

Client: Koto Architecture Lab Inc

Brončana nagrada A' Design Award Winner in Arhitektura Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #172637

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

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The Design

About Merci Kafe

Merci je biljni kafe izgrađen u ruralnom okruženju između dva grada. Kafe je okružen putevima i pruža pogled na slikovite seoske pejzaže. Metode drvene gradnje i napredni statički proračuni omogućavaju prostrane otvorene stropove. Centralni otvoreni atrijum donosi jedinstvo raznolikim prostorima i ispunjava enterijer prirodnom svjetlošću, stvarajući mirno mjesto u svakom trenutku dana. Podovi su izrađeni od recikliranog talога kafe stegnutog cementom, a vanjski zidovi koriste prirodne materijale. Poslužuju se lokalni sastojci, čime se podržava regionalna cirkulacija i okolna zajednica.

The Recognition

About the Brončana nagrada A' Design Award

Merci Kafe je pobjednik Brončane nagrade A' Design Award, visoko prestižnog priznanja koje se dodjeljuje izvanrednim dizajnima što se odlikuju kreativnošću, domišljatošću i oštroumnošću. Brončani pobjednici izdašno su vješti i upečatljivo kreativni artefakti koji potvrđuju golemo iskustvo, maštu i snalažljivost svojih dizajnera. Očekuje se da Merci Kafe bude visoko cijenjen, voljen i njegovan predmet koji je izuzetno profesionalan i inovativan. Ovaj dizajn koji je osvojio Brončanu nagradu A' Design Award uključuje najbolje prakse u umjetnosti, nauci, dizajnu i tehnologiji i izvrstan je zbog pažnje posvećene detaljima. Merci Kafe sjajno zadovoljava potrebe, dotiče želje, očarava osjećaje i privlači znatiželju.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: This is a plant cafe where you can enjoy scenic rural views. It values nature and utilizes its facility surrounded by roads to create a space filled with natural light, making it a relaxing environment at any time of the day. The open atrium brings unity to the diverse spaces. Additionally, we focus on using more natural materials to create a sophisticated atmosphere.
Tags: cafe,regional circulation, nature,universality, coexistence
Production Technology: The building was constructed using wooden construction methods. Advanced structural calculations were employed, making extensive use of open ceilings. The finishing materials included flooring made from recycled products of coffee grounds solidified with cement, and the outer walls used natural materials, resulting in a sustainable building.
Research: In this architecture, the most important thing is a space for creating a new and nostalgic future that blends in with the community. We aimed for a space that maximizes the goodness of the area while being able to design for the future.
Inspiration: The idea was to build a peaceful structure in the countryside that connects the two cities.
Amidst the aging population and depopulation, it was crucial to support the local cycle and create a landscape loved by the community.
Project Duration: We will continue to expand, starting with Okayama City in 2024. We aim to open multiple stores in the future.
Operation Flow: This building is a cafe open to the local community, and a space that aims to promote local circulation. It aims to be an indigenous land that uses local ingredients. It also has an eye on inbound tourism, as a place where people can enjoy sightseeing at traditional Japanese facilities that are a tourist resource for the region.
Team Members: sen ko home
Image Credits: photo:Iku Asanuma