Ref Okinawa Arena Hotel by Uds Ltd. is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award in Eisen in Innenraumdesign Competition Category.

EisenInnenraum· 2025

Ref Okinawa Arena Hotel

by Uds Ltd.

Client: Sukoyaka Holdings

A' Design Award in Eisen Winner in Innenraum Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #164514

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Ref Okinawa Arena Hotel

Ref Okinawa Arena ist ein Hotel, das im Landesinneren der Insel Okinawa liegt, abseits der Ferienregionen an der Küste. Das achtgeschossige Stahlbetongebäude verfügt über eine Gesamtgeschossfläche von rund 5.929 Quadratmetern und umfasst 150 Gästezimmer, Restaurants, zwei vermietbare Tagungsräume, eine Sauna, einen Pool sowie eine Dachbar. Die Fassadengestaltung orientiert sich am Hana-Block, einem traditionellen okinawanischen Lüftungsstein, mit Rahmen in Tropengrün und Ziegelrot. Die ersten beiden Geschosse bilden multifunktionale Bereiche, die durch eine zentrale Treppe verbunden sind und sich zu einem Terrassengarten mit Blick auf einen öffentlichen Park hin öffnen.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award in Eisen

Ref Okinawa Arena Hotel ist Gewinner des A' Design Award in Eisen, einer prestigeträchtigen Anerkennung für gute Designs, die die beruflichen und industriellen Anforderungen erfüllen, die an gut gestaltete Schöpfungen gestellt werden. Eisen-Gewinner zeigen großes Können, hohe Spezialisierung, fachkundiges Verständnis und die kreative Kapazität ihrer Schöpfer. Von Ref Okinawa Arena Hotel wird erwartet, dass es eine hochgeschätzte, bewunderte und geliebte Schöpfung ist, die praktisch und innovativ ist. Dieses mit dem A' Design Award in Eisen prämierte Design integriert bewährte Branchenverfahren und weist kompetente technische Merkmale in Verbindung mit Know-how und Talent auf. Ref Okinawa Arena Hotel wird für seine Gründlichkeit geschätzt und ist darauf ausgelegt, Verbesserungen der Lebensqualität zu liefern, die dazu beitragen, die Welt zu einem besseren Ort zu machen.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Ref Okinawa arena is located in the heart of Okinawa island, renowned for its seaside beauty. However, this inland location offers a vibrant contrast to the coastal areas. Known for its sports venues and nostalgic American nightlife, influenced by the nearby U.S. military base, it represents a rich cultural tapestry. This project aims to highlight an alternative side of Okinawa by focusing on local culture and community spirit, offering a fresh perspective on the island's unique charms.
Dimensions & Packaging: The eight-story building, constructed with a reinforced concrete structure, spans a total floor area of approximately 5,929.48 square meters. The hotel features 150 guest rooms, multiple restaurants, two rental meeting spaces, a sauna, a pool, and a rooftop bar.
Tags: hotel, japan, okinawa, ref, okinawa arena
Production Technology: The exterior facade draws from the 'hana-block,' a traditional Okinawan vent block, with a modern twist. Each frame features two colors: tropical green, symbolizing Okinawa’s lush environment, and brick red, reflecting the region’s clay architecture. This duality creates a dynamic effect that captures Okinawa's vibrant spirit as the colors shift with the viewing angle. Inside the guest rooms, the color schemes vary by floor, adding a playful and distinctive touch to the hotel’s design.
Design Challenge: While Okinawa is known for its seaside, this project offers a fresh perspective by highlighting often-overlooked inland charms. Situated away from the beach, the hotel emphasizes local culture, traditions, and community spirit, creating a unique identity distinct from coastal resorts. Additionally, under Park PFI regulations, the ground floor design blends with the surrounding greenery to create a public space that benefits the community.
Research: Adjacent to a U.S. military base, the project highlights the strong influence of American culture in Okinawa. During the colonial period, Okinawa adopted American education and lifestyle, creating a unique blend of American and traditional Okinawan cultures. Despite this rich diversity, a venue is needed to effectively share this cultural fusion. We propose a hotel that encapsulates the charm of Okinawa City, showcasing its distinctive cultural identity and celebrating its multifaceted heritage.
Inspiration: The concept draws from the Okinawan word 'Champuru,' meaning 'mixed,' symbolizing the fusion of traditional Okinawan, Mainland Japanese, Southeast Asian, and American influences. It celebrates this multicultural charm through local materials and collaborations with local artists and the hometown basketball team. The project illustrates how a commercial venture can integrate with the community, enhancing guest experiences and fostering local pride in an environmentally conscious manner.
Project Duration: The project began in May 2021, was completed in July 2023, and opened in August 2023 to coincide with the Basketball World Cup at the nearby Okinawa Arena. To celebrate the hometown basketball team, we collaborated with local artists to create two uniquely themed guest rooms inspired by the team's identity.
Operation Flow: Designed with the community in mind, the hotel's first two floors are multifunctional spaces connected by a central staircase. These spaces open to a terrace garden, linking to the public park across the street and creating a welcoming lounge for locals. The top floor features a pool and music bar inspired by 'Music Town,' a nearby American-influenced venue. This setup encourages both guests and locals to engage in activities from day to night, fostering a vibrant neighborhood atmosphere.
Patents: copyrights belong to uds ltd. 2024.
Team Members: Norito Nakahara
Anna Naganuma
Kaito Fujita
Thanaporn Lohavichitranon
Image Credits: Image #No1 : Photographer Nacasa & Partners Inc., Ref okinawa arena, 2023
Image #No2 : Photographer Nacasa & Partners Inc., Ref okinawa arena, 2023
Image #No3 : Photographer Nacasa & Partners Inc., Ref okinawa arena, 2023
Image #No4 : Photographer Nacasa & Partners Inc., Ref okinawa arena, 2023
Image #No5 : Photographer Nacasa & Partners Inc., Ref okinawa arena, 2023