Urban Banyan Konsepsyon Enteryè Boulanjri Kafe by Shinjiro Heshiki

Urban Banyan Konsepsyon Enteryè Boulanjri Kafe by Shinjiro Heshiki is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Bwonz in Enteryè Competition Category.

BwonzEnteryè· 2026

Urban Banyan Konsepsyon Enteryè Boulanjri Kafe

by Shinjiro Heshiki

Client: Runva Company Inc.

A' Design Award Bwonz Winner in Enteryè Category

5,334
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #173354

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

Colors

The Design

About Urban Banyan Konsepsyon Enteryè Boulanjri Kafe

Urban Banyan se konsepsyon enteryè yon boulanjri kafe nan vil Naha, Okinawa. Espas la santre sou yon pye banyan eskiltiral ki mezire 6000 mm lajè ak 3600 mm wotè. Eskilti a konbine planch lat, mòtye ak anplat atistik, pandan ke rezin enprime an 3D ki lejè fòme branch yo epi respekte règleman sekirite kont dife. Yo pa t pèmèt afich deyò, kidonk fasad vit 14.5 mèt la pote panno akrilik 3 mm ki enprime ak fèy semi-transparan. Limyè ki soti pa dèyè transfòme devanti magazen an nan yon fannal cho lannwit.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Bwonz

Urban Banyan Konsepsyon Enteryè Boulanjri Kafe se yon ganyan A' Design Award Bwonz, yon rekonesans ki gen anpil prestij yo bay design ekselan ki make pa kreyativite, enjenyozite ak finès. Ganyan Bwonz yo se objè ki abil anpil e ki kreyatif nan fason ki frape, ki otantifye gwo eksperyans, imajinasyon ak debouyaj designer yo. Yo atann Urban Banyan Konsepsyon Enteryè Boulanjri Kafe pou se yon objè anpil moun estime, admire e renmen, ki pwofesyonèl e inovatè nan fason remakab. Design sa a ki ganyen A' Design Award Bwonz enkòpore pi bon pratik nan atizay, syans, design ak teknoloji, e li ekselan pou atansyon li bay detay. Urban Banyan Konsepsyon Enteryè Boulanjri Kafe satisfè bezwen yon fason espledid, li touche dezi, li chame santiman e li atire kiryozite.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Centered around a sculptural Banyan tree, this interior blends art and architecture to provide emotional comfort. Embracing the aesthetic of light and shadow, it creates a serene atmosphere. Overcoming strict exterior signage bans, the glass storefront functions as a City Lantern. Semi-transparent leaf prints on acrylic project a warm, organic glow onto the street at night, serving as an architectural beacon without violating building codes.
Dimensions & Packaging: Banyan Tree Artwork: 6000 mm (W) x 3600 mm (H). Acrylic Print Panels: 14500 mm (W) x 1200 mm (H).
Tags: bakery cafe, spatial design, banyan tree, organic interior, lantern facade, light and shadow, digital fabrication, mortar craft, japanese design, okinawa
Production Technology: To meet fire codes, the banyan sculpture uses a hybrid of lath boards, mortar, and artistic plaster. Complex branches integrate lightweight 3D-printed resin to reduce load. The 14.5m window features 3mm acrylic panels with semi-transparent leaf prints. Backlit for a lantern effect, it leverages western exposure, creating a dramatic interplay between the interior and twilight.
Design Challenge: Due to tenant restrictions, no exterior signage was permitted. To overcome this limitation, the design reimagined the entire window surface as a glowing lantern visible from the street, creating both a signature presence and cost efficiency without breaching the building facade rules.
Research: Research focused on material innovation to balance art with strict fire safety. We developed a lightweight structure integrating 3D-printed resin components and noncombustible mortar. We also explored reversible attachment mechanisms for the long-span acrylic window panels. This demonstrates a sustainable approach to large-scale indoor art installations, merging traditional crafts with digital fabrication.
Inspiration: In the concrete jungle of Naha City, this design reintroduces the primal comfort of nature. Inspired by the Okinawan Banyan tree (Gajumaru), revered in folklore as the abode of spirits, the space serves as a modern sanctuary. The concept visualizes the invisible 'Life Force' of the island. By integrating the organic forms of the Banyan with the play of light and shadow, the design transforms a commercial space into a spiritual shelter, offering a moment of primitive healing amidst urban hustle.
Project Duration: The project started in Nov 2024 in Naha City, Okinawa and finished in March 2025
Operation Flow: Guests enter beneath the symbolic canopy of the banyan tree and are naturally guided toward seating areas that embrace the soft western light. The filtered illumination through the acrylic leaf screens shifts subtly throughout the day, providing visitors with a tangible sense of passing time. This visual and spatial rhythm intentionally encourages people to slow their pace, breathe deeply, and experience emotional serenity while enjoying their coffee and bread.
Patents: Copyrights belong to Conception Co., Ltd., 2025.
Image Credits: Photographer: Masahiro Ishibashi