Merci Kafe by Yuma Sato is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award Varahina in Famolavolana Maritrano, Trano ary Rafitra Competition Category.

VarahinaMaritrano· 2025

Merci Kafe

by Yuma Sato

Client: Koto Architecture Lab Inc

A' Design Award Varahina Winner in Maritrano 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

Ny Merci dia kafe misy zava-maniry naorina eny amin'ny faritra ambanivohitra eo anelanelan'ny tanàna roa. Voahodidin'arabe ny kafe ary mitodika mankany amin'ny endri-tany maha-te-hijery any ambanivohitra. Ny fomba fanorenana amin'ny hazo sy ny fikajiana ara-drafitra mandroso dia mamela tafo malalaka be. Ny atrium foibe misokatra dia mitondra firaisankina eo amin'ireo faritra samihafa ary mameno ny ao anaty trano amin'ny hazavan'ny masoandro, ka mamorona toerana fitsaharana amin'ny ora rehetra amin'ny andro. Ny gorodona dia vita amin'ny fasin-kafe averina ampiasaina indray ka nohamafisina amin'ny simenitra, ary ny rindrina ivelany kosa mampiasa akora voajanahary. Ny akora avy eo an-toerana no atolotra, ka manohana ny fikirakirana ara-paritra sy ny fiaraha-monina manodidina.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Varahina

Nandresy ny A' Design Award Varahina ny famolavolana Merci Kafe, fankasitrahana malaza be omena ny famolavolana miavaka izay mampiavaka ny fahaiza-mamorona, ny fahazotoana ary ny fahamaotinan-tsaina. Ny mpandresy Varahina dia zavatra vita tanana mahay dia mahay ary mamorona mivantana izay manamafy ny traikefa be dia be, ny sarintsaina ary ny fahaizan-kafoy an'ny mpamolavola azy. Andrasana ho zavatra ankasitrahana be, ankafizina ary tiana, mahay amin'ny asa sady vaovao ny famolavolana Merci Kafe. Ity famolavolana nandresy ny A' Design Award Varahina ity dia mitahiry ny fomba fanao tsara indrindra amin'ny zavakanto, ny siansa, ny famolavolana ary ny teknolojia, ary tsara indrindra amin'ny fitandremana ny antsipirihany. Ny famolavolana Merci Kafe dia mahafa-po ny filana tsara, mikasika ny faniriana, mahasarika ny fihetseham-po ary misarika ny fahalianana.

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