Ryukyu Sanctuary Jatetxe Barruko Diseinua by Shinjiro Heshiki

Ryukyu Sanctuary Jatetxe Barruko Diseinua by Shinjiro Heshiki is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Burdinazko Saria A' Design Award in Barruko Espazioa eta Erakusketa Diseinua Competition Category.

BurdinaBarrualdea· 2026

Ryukyu Sanctuary Jatetxe Barruko Diseinua

by Shinjiro Heshiki

Client: Shabu Shabu Ryukyu

Burdinazko Saria A' Design Award Winner in Barrualdea Category

5,224

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #173349

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

Colors

The Design

About Ryukyu Sanctuary Jatetxe Barruko Diseinua

Ryukyu Sanctuary jatetxe-barruko diseinu bat da, Okinawako Naha hiriko Kokusai-dori etorbidean kokatua. Fatxadak koral-maskor baten forma du, neurrira kurbatutako altzairuzko barrez osatua, eskuz margotuak koral urdin eta esmeralda tonuetan. Sarreratik igarotzean, bezeroak kale jendetsutik jangela lasai batera igarotzen dira. Eskuz igeltsutako hormek koral-formazioen testura birsortzen dute. 4700 x 1700 milimetroko beirate-partizio batek Okinawako itsasoaren eta lurraren motiboak jasotzen ditu. Ryukyu beirak eta zeharkako argiztapenak osatzen dute espazioa.

The Recognition

About the Burdinazko Saria A' Design Award

Ryukyu Sanctuary Jatetxe Barruko Diseinua Burdinazko Saria A' Design Award irabazlea da, ondo diseinatutako sorkuntzetatik espero diren eskakizun profesional eta industrialak betetzen dituzten diseinu onei ematen zaien aitorpen prestijiotsua. Burdin-mailako irabazleek beren sortzaileen trebetasun handia, espezializazio handia, adituen ulermena eta sormen-gaitasuna erakusten dituzte. Ryukyu Sanctuary Jatetxe Barruko Diseinua oso estimatua, miretsia eta maitea den sorkuntza izatea espero da, praktikoa eta berritzailea dena. Burdinazko Saria A' Design Award irabazi duen diseinu honek sektoreko praktika onenak integratzen ditu eta know-how-ari eta talentuari lotutako ezaugarri tekniko gaituak ditu. Ryukyu Sanctuary Jatetxe Barruko Diseinua zehaztasunagatik errespetatua den lana da, eta mundua leku hobea egiten laguntzen duten bizi-kalitatearen hobekuntzak eskaintzeko diseinatua dagoena.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Located on Okinawa's busy Kokusai-dori, the facade's coral shell evokes a reef in emerald green seas, acting as a portal. In Okinawa, coral symbolizes protection and life. This design bridges tradition with modern art via hand-crafted plaster that recreates the tactile texture of reefs. Inside, city noise fades into a serene, underwater dimension. The sanctuary mirrors the mythical Dragon Palace, a space where local heritage, craftsmanship, and hospitality coexist in harmony.
Dimensions & Packaging: Stained-glass: 4700 mm x 1700 mm. Floor area: 154 sqm. Ceiling height: 2800 mm. Structure: Reinforced Concrete. Finishes: Hand-plastered art walls, steel flat-bar art painting, custom Ryukyu glass installations.
Tags: Okinawa Design, Ryukyu Glass, Coral Reef Architecture, Undersea Atmosphere, Ryugu-jo Concept, Handcrafted Plaster Art, Japanese Restaurant, Light and Shadow, Cultural Identity, Authentic Ryukyu Modern
Production Technology: The facade features custom-curved steel bars hand-painted in coral-blue and emerald tones to mimic reef rhythms. Interior walls use hand-plastered textures to recreate the tactile depth of coral formations. A 4700mm x 1700mm glass partition combines stained-glass artistry with traditional motifs. By integrating Ryukyu glass with indirect lighting, the design achieves a balance of materiality and ethereal light, blending local craftsmanship with contemporary spatial art.
Design Challenge: Strict fire codes required smoke exhaust windows on the facade, while local laws prohibited external signage. These constraints were overcome by using the cubic curvature of custom steel bars to mask functional elements, creating a facade that acts as its own landmark. By integrating a banyan tree motif into the play of shadows, the building achieves a distinctive identity that prioritizes artistic expression over conventional commercial branding, harmonizing necessity with creativity.
Research: This project explores the link between Okinawa and the sea, using coral as a vital cultural symbol. Research focused on translating coral's protective qualities into a spatial experience. By using local craft and Ryukyu glass, the design reinterprets natural elements for a modern context. Despite strict fire and signage codes, the project transformed legal constraints into a landmark facade that honors marine heritage and Okinawa's poetic spirit.
Inspiration: Inspired by Ryugu-jo, the mythical undersea palace. This project embodies "Authentic Ryukyu Modern" by blending Okinawan heritage with contemporary luxury. It seeks to recreate the serene beauty of coral reefs submerged in emerald green waters, redefining traditional motifs into a timeless spatial experience that honors the island's natural and cultural roots.
Project Duration: Design planning for the project began in February 2024 in Naha, Okinawa, with construction completed in July 2024.
Operation Flow: The journey begins on vibrant Kokusai-dori Avenue. Passing through the coral shell facade, guests experience a dramatic sensory shift as urban noise is replaced by serene silence. This threshold acts as a portal to another dimension. Inside, the play of light through Ryukyu glass and tactile reef-like walls create an immersive underwater world. This transition from the chaotic city to a tranquil sanctuary allows diners to lose track of time, fully entering the mythical atmosphere of the Dragon Palace.
Patents: Copyrights belong to Conception Co., Ltd., 2025.
Image Credits: Photographer: Masahiro Ishibashi