Frames Hale Keʻena by Michihiro Matsuo is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award Kala in Hoʻolālā Hale, Kūkulu a me Hōʻuluʻulu Competition Category.

KalaHoʻolālā Hale· 2025

Frames Hale Keʻena

by Michihiro Matsuo

Client: Metaph Architect Associates

A' Design Award Kala Winner in Hoʻolālā Hale Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #171551

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

Colors

The Design

About Frames Hale Keʻena

He hale keʻena ʻo Frames aia ma Osaka, Iapana. Ua hoʻomaopopo ʻia ke alo o ka hale e nā kikowaena pukaaniani e uhi ana kekahi i kekahi, e like me ka lana ʻana ma luna o kahi kīhāpai moe ma ka papahele honua. Ua hoʻonoho ʻia nā wahi hana mālamalama a hāmama ma luna o ka papahele ʻelua. ʻO nā kinona pukaaniani a me nā kumulāʻau i kanu pono ʻia e hōʻoluʻolu i ka nānā ʻana mai ke alanui mai, me ka mālama ʻana i ke kaulike ma waena o ka pilikino a me ka hāmama. Hoʻohana ka hale i kahi hoʻolālā kīnona paʻa lāʻau me nā lāʻau hoʻopili nui a me nā hui metala. Ua hana ʻia ka nānā ʻana i ke kūkulu ʻana e hōʻoia i ka palekana ma kahi ʻāina e pinepine ai nā ōlaʻi a e kākoʻo i ke kūkulu ʻana i haʻahaʻa ke kalapona.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Kala

Ua lanakila ka hoʻolālā Frames Hale Keʻena i ka A' Design Award Kala, he ʻike hoʻohanohano nui loa i hāʻawi ʻia i nā hoʻolālā kiʻekiʻe loa, nani a kupaianaha. He mau hana ʻālohilohi loa a hana noʻeau nui nā lanakila Kala e hōʻike ana i ka loea, ka makakoho a me ka ʻoi aku o ka noʻonoʻo o kā lākou poʻe hoʻolālā. Manaʻo ʻia ʻo ka hoʻolālā Frames Hale Keʻena he hana kupaianaha, kūlana ʻoi aku, ʻoihana kiʻekiʻe a hou loa. ʻO kēia hoʻolālā i lanakila i ka A' Design Award Kala he mea hoʻokumu kūpono loa, mahalo ʻia e hāʻawi i ka pōmaikaʻi a hoʻoneʻe i nā palena o ka hana noʻeau, ka ʻepekema, ka hoʻolālā a me ka ʻenehana. He mea i ʻeleu ʻia e nā mea he nui ka hoʻolālā Frames Hale Keʻena e hoʻāla i ka makemake, lawe mai i nā manaʻo maikaʻi a hoʻāla i ka kamahaʻo a me ka mahalo.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: The building aims for an open, organic look with window frames on the façade. The overlapping, almost floating frame design catches the eye. Inside, the view from employees and pedestrians is separated, with bright, open office spaces and strategically planted greenery softly blocking the view, maintaining a balance between privacy and openness. Horizontal eaves at ground level contrast with the windows above to create a sleek façade that blends in with the surrounding landscape.
Dimensions & Packaging: Site area 1,037.12 m2, Scale 768.80 m2, Structure Wood, Number of floors 3, This building is often planned to be made of steel to match its shape, but in consideration of low carbonization, it is planned to be maed to be made of wooden rigid frame construction. arge openings.
Tags: Office, Wood, Architecture, Nature, Window
Production Technology: This building is an environmentally friendly wooden structure. Because it has a large open space, there were concerns about the strength of the building. In order to build it safely, a structural analysis was carried out and large-section laminated timber and metal joints were used to achieve a strong and safe structure. In Japan, where earthquakes are frequent, structural calculations are extremely important for wooden buildings, and the utmost consideration was given to this.
Design Challenge: In the Japanese construction industry, many buildings are currently constructed using non-wooden materials, and this study aims to achieve both low carbon emissions through wooden architecture and open space design. In particular, in Japan, where earthquakes are frequent, the realization of large-scale wooden architecture is a major challenge in terms of achieving both structural safety and freedom of design.
Research: This study examines design methods aimed at achieving both safety and comfort in office buildings with large windows, and harmonizing with the local environment. Through questionnaire surveys and tours, we aim to investigate the psychological impact of organic architectural designs that give a sense of connection with nature, and to propose the ideal form of next-generation office architectural design.
Inspiration: The starting point was an organic office design that blends in with nature and the local area. The design emphasized windows that connect with nature and harmony with the exterior space, aiming to create an office that is open, nature-oriented, and blends in with the local area. By harmonizing with the surroundings with natural light and plants and prioritizing employee comfort, we have created a new office space that is open to the local area and gives a sense of nature.
Project Duration: The project was completed in Osaka, Japan in December 2024
Operation Flow: Most of the work is carried out in the space above the second floor. The shape of the window frames and the strategically placed trees on the outside block the view of passersby, and other careful considerations have been made to ensure privacy and create a work space.
Patents: Copyrights
Image Credits: Michihiro Matsuo,Metaph Architect Associates