Kunamiterrace Sunset Café, Konschtgalerie by Tomohiro Araki

Kunamiterrace Sunset Café, Konschtgalerie by Tomohiro Araki is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award an Bronze in Architektur, Gebai an Strukturdesign Competition Category.

BronzeArchitektur· 2026

Kunamiterrace Sunset Café, Konschtgalerie

by Tomohiro Araki

Client: Replus Co.,Ltd

A' Design Award an Bronze Winner in Architektur Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #173583

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

Colors

The Design

About Kunamiterrace Sunset Café, Konschtgalerie

Kunamiterrace Sunset ass e permanent Strandhaus zu Iwami, enger Stad am Norde vun der Präfektur Tottori a Japan, direkt nieft engem Geopark-Nationalpark. Dat zweestäckegt Holzgebai beherbergt e Café mat Vue op de Sonnenënnergang an eng kleng Galerie fir Solo-Ausstellunge vu lokale Kënschtler. D'Fassad ass aus gebranntem Zederholz, den Daach besteet aus Galvalume-Stolblech an den Interieur aus strukturellem Spärholz, sou datt d'Gebai sech harmonesch an dat lokaalt Stroossebild afüügt. Een héije Sockel aus Stahlbeton schützt d'Konstruktioun viru staarken Nordwinden. D'Sëtzplazen op der Terrass si limitéiert, fir d'Dimensioune bescheiden ze halen.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award an Bronze

Kunamiterrace Sunset Café, Konschtgalerie ass e Gewënner vum A' Design Award an Bronze, enger héich prestigiéiser Unerkennung, déi un erausragend Designe vergi gëtt, déi sech duerch Kreativitéit, Erfindungsgab a Schlauheet ausgezeechnen. Bronze-Gewënner si voll Fäegkeet a opfälleg kreativ Wierker, déi déi grouss Erfahrung, d'Fantasie an d'Ressourceréichtum vun hire Designer bestätegen. Et gëtt erwaart, datt Kunamiterrace Sunset Café, Konschtgalerie e héich geschätzt, bewonnert a beléifte Géigestand ass, bemierkenswäert professionell an innovativ. Dëst mam Bronze ausgezeechent Design integréiert déi beschte Praktike vun der Konscht, der Wëssenschaft, vum Design an der Technologie an zeechent sech duerch Opmierksamkeet fir Detailer aus. Kunamiterrace Sunset Café, Konschtgalerie erfëllt Bedierfnesser exzellent, beréiert Wënsch, bezauberet Gefiller an erweckt Neigierecht.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: I was commissioned to build a permanent beach house near a national park (geopark) in this area. In front of the house is a town-managed outdoor barbecue area that attracts more than 2,000 visitors annually. The shallow beach with big waves is a popular spot for surfers. However, while there were once dozens of guesthouses, only a few remain today, the town's population is declining, and aging is a serious problem. This area is designated as a stop for JR West's luxury tourist train (Zuife), but there are few accommodations, and I felt that the tourist resources were not being fully utilized. However, given the recent problems with overtourism, would transforming it into a tourist destination truly benefit the residents? After careful consideration, I began to make a basic plan. By using materials that match the surrounding townscape, the design does not detract from the scenery. By using natural materials, I was able to enjoy the maturation process. The observation terrace has limited seating capacity to avoid becoming an excessive tourist facility.
Dimensions & Packaging: Building Data > Location: 604-5 Rikuchi, Iwami-cho, Tottori Prefecture Main Use: Shop (Permanent beach house and gallery) Completion Date: May 3, 2025 Size: Site area: 872.31 m2, Building area: 185.35 m2, 2-story wooden building
Tags: sea, side, house
Production Technology: Community-friendly design > Design that uses natural materials and is considerate of the streetscape. Interior: Structural plywood Exterior: Burnt cedar Roof: Galvalume steel sheet (original sheet) This area is directly exposed to strong northerly winds, but a dynamic design is provided by a single bay protruding from the exterior wall. This structure is achieved by using the roof itself as a horizontal plane without using beams on the second floor. The RC structure supporting the second-floor balcony prevents deterioration from the northerly winds, fixes the structure, and completes the design of the north facade. The 3.6m high RC wall is designed to make you want to go up to the second floor when you look up at it from the street. The back of this high foundation also functions as an exit to the gallery, and paintings and other works are displayed on the P-con on the wall surface, enhancing the completeness of the gallery. Glass is attached to the columns of the north facade, and no sashes are installed.
Design Challenge: A new tourist attraction has opened in Higashihama.

I was commissioned to design it last year, and it took me about a year and a few months to create a building suitable for this land.

It was a very intense period, both enjoyable and painful.

What kind of building is truly suitable for this land? It was a good opportunity to reconsider the meaning of building, and it's also my first project since turning 50.

I asked myself what kind of building would be loved by the local people and cherished for a long time.

I completed the construction while asking myself this question.

The first customers came to the shop before it was even finished. It was a pair of swallows.

Nature (animals) knows. What is a truly safe building? In that moment, I found the answer.
Research: My approach is to simplify everything by removing unnecessary elements from existing ones.
Instead of adding something, I use an almost infinite number of formulas and styles.
Adding elements or decorations to further emphasize character.

When applied to lifestyle, it's not about filling and decorating your home with furniture and other things.
Rather, it's about placing truly good and important things where they belong.
Making it clearer what's important and what needs to be done.

The term "minimalism" is frequently heard these days.
However, I believe this is not a fleeting trend.
But it is a concept that is easy to understand in many modern times.

Perfection is achieved when nothing is taken away.

In today's society, where the meaning and value of happiness are rapidly changing,
perhaps we are entering an era where we place more value on emotional and experiential things.
Instead of bringing wealth in the form of physical possessions or money,
Choosing only what is truly necessary and reducing personal possessions may lead to a more creative life.
Inspiration: This permanent beach house is located in Iwami Town, the northernmost point of Tottori Prefecture, adjacent to the San'inkai Bay Geopark National Park. It features a sunset cafe where you can enjoy stunning sunsets from its prime location, as well as a small gallery hosting solo exhibitions by local artists. This facility offers a space where you can experience an extraordinary world while soothing your soul with the sound of the waves.
Project Duration: 2024/10/1~2025/5/3
IWAMI TOTTORI JAPAN
Image Credits: Photo by Tomonao Nagasaka