Ref Okinawa Arena Tsev So Qhua by Uds Ltd.

Ref Okinawa Arena Tsev So Qhua by Uds Ltd. is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award Hlau in Tsim Chav Sab Hauv thiab Kev Nthuav Qhia Competition Category.

HlauSab Hauv· 2025

Ref Okinawa Arena Tsev So Qhua

by Uds Ltd.

Client: Sukoyaka Holdings

A' Design Award Hlau Winner in Sab Hauv 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 Tsev So Qhua

Ref Okinawa Arena yog ib lub tsev so qhua nyob sab hauv Kob Okinawa, deb ntawm cov thaj chaw so ntawm ntug hiav txwv. Lub tsev yim theem uas tsim los ntawm hlau thiab pob zeb (reinforced concrete) muaj tag nrho thaj tsam plag qhov txaij li ntawm 5,929 metaus square, thiab muaj 150 chav so qhua, tsev noj mov, ob qhov chaw pab kev sib tham (rental meeting spaces), ib lub chav so kub hwv (sauna), ib lub pas dej ua si, thiab ib lub bar saum ru tsev. Sab nraum zoov ntawm lub tsev tau tsim raws li lub "hana-block," uas yog ib hom txheej pob zeb ua qhov cua Okinawa thaum ub, nrog cov phab kem hauv xim ntsuab tropical thiab liab brick. Ob theem thawj yog cov chaw siv tau ntau yam, sib txuas los ntawm ib qho ladder nruab nrab, thiab qhib mus rau ib lub vaj terrace uas ntsia mus rau ib lub public park.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Hlau

Ref Okinawa Arena Tsev So Qhua yog tus yeej ntawm A' Design Award Hlau, ib qho kev lees paub muaj meej mom uas muab rau cov qauv tsim zoo uas ua tau raws li cov kev xav tau ntawm kev ua haujlwm thiab kev lag luam uas xav tau los ntawm cov khoom tsim zoo. Cov neeg yeej Hlau qhia txog kev txawj loj, kev paub tshwj xeeb siab, kev nkag siab ntawm cov kws tshaj lij thiab lub peev xwm tsim ntawm cov neeg tsim. Ref Okinawa Arena Tsev So Qhua xav tias yuav yog ib qho khoom tsim uas neeg hwm, qhuas thiab hlub uas siv tau thiab tsim tshiab. Cov qauv tsim yeej A' Design Award Hlau no sib xyaw cov kev coj ua zoo tshaj plaws ntawm kev lag luam thiab muaj cov yam ntxwv siv tshuab txawj ntse txuas nrog kev paub thiab txuj ci. Ref Okinawa Arena Tsev So Qhua tau txais kev hwm vim nws tag nrho thiab tsim los muab kev txhim kho rau lub neej uas pab ua rau lub ntiaj teb zoo dua.

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