Ryukyu Sanctuary Dealbhadh Taobh a-staigh Taigh-bìdh by Shinjiro Heshiki

Ryukyu Sanctuary Dealbhadh Taobh a-staigh Taigh-bìdh by Shinjiro Heshiki is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Duais Iarainn A' Design Award in Dealbhadh Àiteachan Taobh a-staigh agus Taisbeanaidh Competition Category.

IarannTaobh a-staigh· 2026

Ryukyu Sanctuary Dealbhadh Taobh a-staigh Taigh-bìdh

by Shinjiro Heshiki

Client: Shabu Shabu Ryukyu

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

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The Design

About Ryukyu Sanctuary Dealbhadh Taobh a-staigh Taigh-bìdh

'S e taobh a-staigh taigh-bìdh a th' ann an Ryukyu Sanctuary, suidhichte air Rathad Kokusai-dori ann an Naha, Okinawa. Tha aghaidh an togalaich air a cumadh mar shlige corail, air a dèanamh de bhàraichean stàilinn lùbte gu sònraichte, air am peantadh le làimh ann an gormanan corail agus tuar smàraig. A' dol tron doras-toisich, gluaisidh aoighean bhon t-sràid thrang a-steach do sheòmar-bìdh sàmhach. Tha ballachan air an sglàibeadh le làimh ag ath-chruthachadh cruth is inneach nan riochdan corail. Tha sgaradair glainne dhathte, 4700 air 1700 milemeatair, a' giùlan motifean mara is tìre Okinawa. Tha glainne Ryukyu agus solais neo-dhìreach a' toirt an rùim gu buil.

The Recognition

About the Duais Iarainn A' Design Award

Tha Ryukyu Sanctuary Dealbhadh Taobh a-staigh Taigh-bìdh air Duais Iarainn A' Design Award a bhuannachadh, aithneachadh urramach a bheirear do dhealbhaidhean math a choinnicheas ris na riatanasan proifeiseanta is gnìomhachais a thathar a' sùileachadh bho chruthachaidhean a chaidh an dealbhadh gu math. Tha buannaichean Iarainn a' nochdadh sgil mhòr, speisealachadh àrd, tuigse eòlaiche agus comas cruthachail an luchd-cruthachaidh. Thathar an dùil gum bi Ryukyu Sanctuary Dealbhadh Taobh a-staigh Taigh-bìdh na chruthachadh air a bheil mòran meas, ion-mholta agus gràdhach a tha practaigeach agus ùr-ghnàthach. Tha an dealbhadh seo a bhuannaich Duais Iarainn A' Design Award a' cur nan cleachdaidhean as fheàrr sa ghnìomhachas còmhla agus tha feartan teignigeach comasach aige ceangailte ri eòlas-dèanamh agus tàlant. Tha meas air Ryukyu Sanctuary Dealbhadh Taobh a-staigh Taigh-bìdh airson a dhùrachd agus chaidh a dhealbhadh gus leasachaidhean càileachd beatha a thoirt seachad a chuidicheas le bhith a' dèanamh an t-saoghail na àite nas fheàrr.

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