Pure Semicircles Dearadh Taobh Istigh Scoile by Tetsuya Matsumoto

Pure Semicircles Dearadh Taobh Istigh Scoile by Tetsuya Matsumoto is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Duais Umha A' Design Award in Dealbhadh Àiteachan Taobh a-staigh agus Taisbeanaidh Competition Category.

UmhaTaobh a-staigh· 2025

Pure Semicircles Dearadh Taobh Istigh Scoile

by Tetsuya Matsumoto

Client: Seigakusha Co., Ltd.

Duais Umha A' Design Award Winner in Taobh a-staigh Category

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Colors

The Design

About Pure Semicircles Dearadh Taobh Istigh Scoile

Is éard atá i gCiorcail Leathchiorcal Ghlana ná taobh istigh scoile stáidéir in Ibaraki, Osaka, an tSeapáin. Cuireann an dearadh spás glan ar fáil le línte agus cruthanna íosta, ionas gur féidir le mic léinn díriú ar a n-ábhair. Treoraíonn an bealach isteach chuig limistéar fáiltithe leathchiorclach, áit a bhfuil scáthán suite ar an meánlíne a léiríonn an fhoirm agus a chomhlánaíonn ciorcal iomlán. Tá an tsíleáil déanta as leatháin chruach dhosmálta rocacha agus soilsítear í le foinsí solais líneacha. Cuireann glasra agus dallóga adhmaid teas leis an spás bán íostach. Tá dhá sheomra staidéir ann, gach ceann acu le bord lárnach agus cuntair feadh na bhfuinneog.

The Recognition

About the Duais Umha A' Design Award

Tha Pure Semicircles Dearadh Taobh Istigh Scoile air Duais Umha A' Design Award a bhuannachadh, aithneachadh gu math urramach a bheirear do dhealbhaidhean sònraichte a tha air an comharrachadh le cruthachalachd, innleachd agus geurchuis. Tha buannaichean Umha nan obraichean gu math sgileil agus gu sònraichte cruthachail a dhearbhas eòlas farsaing, mac-meanmna agus tapachd an luchd-dealbhaidh. Thathar an dùil gum bi Pure Semicircles Dearadh Taobh Istigh Scoile na nì air a bheil mòran meas, ion-mholta agus gràdhach, a tha gu sònraichte proifeiseanta agus ùr-ghnàthach. Tha an dealbhadh seo a bhuannaich Duais Umha A' Design Award a' cur nan cleachdaidhean as fheàrr ann an ealain, saidheans, dealbhadh agus teicneolas an gnìomh, agus tha e sàr-mhath airson an aire do mhion-fhiosrachadh. Bidh Pure Semicircles Dearadh Taobh Istigh Scoile a' sàsachadh fheumalachdan gu h-iongantach, a' suathadh ri miannan, a' tàladh faireachdainnean agus a' togail fiosrachd.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Pure Semicircles is a cram school located in Osaka. The school offers a pure space with minimal lines and shapes where the students can focus on their subjects. Greenery maintains a strong presence to provide a relaxing atmosphere and wood blinds help create warmth in a rather minimalist white space. The main design point is the semicircular entrance with ripples stainless steel ceiling reflecting the space and a mirrored wall in the median that completes the circle.
Dimensions & Packaging: Gross Built Area: 149.69sqm
W20330mm x D13230mm x H2470mm
Tags: Japan, school, education, students, ripple, Osaka, minimalist, reflection, students, office
Production Technology: The space was created using drywall techniques and mostly finished in wall cloth.
The ceiling is made with rippled stainless steel sheets. The semicircle reception space has a mirror in the median line that reflects it and completes the circular form. The lighting is secured through linear light sources in the middle of the stainless steel and around it as well. The study room is equipped with downlights.
Design Challenge: The creative challenge was mostly how to make a school fashionable in the eyes of teenage students, fulfil its functional duty, all of this in a relatively narrow space and a relatively limited budget. How to keep a space pure while still making it cozy. How to make it rich in materiality while keeping it minimalist and not distracting. The answer was by using unique materials such as the rippled stainless steel for the ceiling, mirrored walls, greenery, and wood blinds.
Research: Pure Semicircles design has two axes of research. The first one is aimed at guaranteeing an atmosphere where students can focus on learning while still enjoying the space and relaxing. The second one is aimed at visually creating a space that is attractive in a relatively narrow room that is surrounded by windows that overlook the bustling city outside. The quest was to find a middle between the two.
Inspiration: This design is inspired by the function of the space. Schools need to have spaces that provide an atmosphere where students can concentrate on their studies. But they also need to be cozy and offer relaxed and playful places. More than just study desks, schools need to become attractive and interesting to their main users, teenagers who are already building their lives into our contemporary society.
Project Duration: Project start: September 2024.
Construction starts: December 2024.
Project/Construction End: January 2025.

Location:
Ibaraki, Osaka, Japan.
Operation Flow: The entrance gives straight to a semicircular reception space doubled by a mirrored wall. The reception leads then to the consultation booth where parents, students and staff can talk. The other side is occupied by offices. In the middle the space opens to the study space with a central table and a counter on the window side. Another arched opening leads to the second study room which is a counter along the windows.
Team Members: Tetsuya Matsumoto
Image Credits: Image #1: photographer ©Stirling Elmendorf Photography, Pure Semicircles, 2025.
Image #2: photographer ©Stirling Elmendorf Photography, Pure Semicircles, 2025.
Image #3: photographer ©Stirling Elmendorf Photography, Pure Semicircles, 2025.
Image #4: photographer ©Stirling Elmendorf Photography, Pure Semicircles, 2025.
Image #5: photographer ©Stirling Elmendorf Photography, Pure Semicircles, 2025.