Merci Caupona by Yuma Sato is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Praemium A' Design Award Aeneum in Architectura Competition Category.

AesArchitectura· 2025

Merci Caupona

by Yuma Sato

Client: Koto Architecture Lab Inc

Praemium A' Design Award Aeneum Winner in Architectura Category

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Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #172637

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

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The Design

About Merci Caupona

Merci est caupona plantaria inter duas urbes in agresti loco aedificata. Caupona viis circumdata est et prospectum amoenum ruris praebet. Rationes lignariae aedificandi et calculi structurales progressi tecta ampla et aperta permittunt. Atrium centrale apertum unitatem spatiis variis affert et interiora luce naturali complet, locum quietum omni horae momento efficiens. Pavimentum ex fundis cafeae recyclatis cemento solidatis factum est, et parietes exteriores materiis naturalibus utuntur. Ingredientia locali proveniunt, quae circulationem regionalem et communitatem vicinam sustinent.

The Recognition

About the Praemium A' Design Award Aeneum

Merci Caupona victor est Praemii A' Design Award Aeneum, honoris multum aestimati formis egregiis, creandi ingenio, sollertia et acumine insignibus dati. Victores Aenei opera perita et mire creandi sunt, quae experientiam, imaginationem et solertiam auctorum suorum confirmant. Exspectatur Merci Caupona rem multum aestimatam, admiratam et carissimam, notabiliter professionalem et novam fore. Haec forma Aeneo victa optimas consuetudines artis, scientiae, formandi rationis et technologiae amplectitur et in cura minutiarum excellit. Merci Caupona necessitates egregie explet, cupiditates tangit, sensus capit et curiositatem allicit.

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