Merci Kafe by Yuma Sato is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award Perunggu in Desain Arsitektur, Bangunan dan Struktur Competition Category.

PerungguArsitektur· 2025

Merci Kafe

by Yuma Sato

Client: Koto Architecture Lab Inc

A' Design Award Perunggu Winner in Arsitektur Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #172637

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

Colors

The Design

About Merci Kafe

Merci adalah kafe tanaman yang dibangun di lingkungan pedesaan di antara dua kota. Kafe ini dikelilingi oleh jalan dan menghadap ke pemandangan pedesaan yang indah. Metode konstruksi kayu dan kalkulasi struktural yang canggih memungkinkan langit-langit terbuka yang luas. Sebuah atrium terbuka di bagian tengah menyatukan ruang-ruang yang beragam dan mengisi interior dengan cahaya alami, menciptakan tempat yang menenangkan di setiap waktu dalam sehari. Lantainya terbuat dari ampas kopi daur ulang yang dipadatkan dengan semen, sementara dinding luarnya menggunakan material alami. Bahan-bahan lokal disajikan di sini, mendukung sirkulasi ekonomi regional serta komunitas sekitar.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Perunggu

Merci Kafe adalah pemenang A' Design Award Perunggu, pengakuan yang sangat bergengsi yang diberikan kepada desain luar biasa yang dicirikan oleh kreativitas, kecerdikan, dan ketajaman. Pemenang Perunggu adalah artefak yang sangat terampil dan sangat kreatif yang membuktikan pengalaman luas, imajinasi, dan kelihaian para desainernya. Merci Kafe diharapkan menjadi objek yang sangat dihargai, dikagumi, dan dicintai, sangat profesional dan inovatif. Desain pemenang A' Design Award Perunggu ini menyertakan praktik terbaik dalam seni, sains, desain, dan teknologi, dan sangat baik dalam perhatiannya pada detail. Merci Kafe memuaskan kebutuhan dengan indah, menyentuh keinginan, memikat perasaan, dan menarik rasa ingin tahu.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: This is a plant cafe where you can enjoy scenic rural views. It values nature and utilizes its facility surrounded by roads to create a space filled with natural light, making it a relaxing environment at any time of the day. The open atrium brings unity to the diverse spaces. Additionally, we focus on using more natural materials to create a sophisticated atmosphere.
Tags: cafe,regional circulation, nature,universality, coexistence
Production Technology: The building was constructed using wooden construction methods. Advanced structural calculations were employed, making extensive use of open ceilings. The finishing materials included flooring made from recycled products of coffee grounds solidified with cement, and the outer walls used natural materials, resulting in a sustainable building.
Research: In this architecture, the most important thing is a space for creating a new and nostalgic future that blends in with the community. We aimed for a space that maximizes the goodness of the area while being able to design for the future.
Inspiration: The idea was to build a peaceful structure in the countryside that connects the two cities.
Amidst the aging population and depopulation, it was crucial to support the local cycle and create a landscape loved by the community.
Project Duration: We will continue to expand, starting with Okayama City in 2024. We aim to open multiple stores in the future.
Operation Flow: This building is a cafe open to the local community, and a space that aims to promote local circulation. It aims to be an indigenous land that uses local ingredients. It also has an eye on inbound tourism, as a place where people can enjoy sightseeing at traditional Japanese facilities that are a tourist resource for the region.
Team Members: sen ko home
Image Credits: photo:Iku Asanuma