Urban Banyan Famolavolana ny Ati-trano an'ny Kafe Mpanao Mofo by Shinjiro Heshiki

Urban Banyan Famolavolana ny Ati-trano an'ny Kafe Mpanao Mofo by Shinjiro Heshiki is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Varahina in Famolavolana Habaka Anatiny ary Fampisehoana Competition Category.

VarahinaAnatiny· 2026

Urban Banyan Famolavolana ny Ati-trano an'ny Kafe Mpanao Mofo

by Shinjiro Heshiki

Client: Runva Company Inc.

A' Design Award Varahina Winner in Anatiny Category

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The Design

About Urban Banyan Famolavolana ny Ati-trano an'ny Kafe Mpanao Mofo

Urban Banyan dia ny famolavolana ny ati-tranon'ny kafe mpanao mofo iray ao amin'ny tanànan'i Naha, Okinawa. Ny ivon'ny toerana dia hazo banian mitovy amin'ny sary sokitra, mirefy 6000 mm ny sakany ary 3600 mm ny haavony. Io sary sokitra io dia mampifangaro hazo fisaka (lath boards), rihitra ary lalotra ara-javakanto, ary rezina maivana vita amin'ny fanontana 3D no mamorona ireo rantsany sady mifanaraka amin'ny fitsipika momba ny fiarovana amin'ny afo. Tsy navela ny fametrahana takela-pamantarana ivelany, ka ny lafiny fitaratra 14,5 metatra dia mitondra takelaka akrilika 3 mm voasonta ravinkazo somary tatera-pahazavana. Ny jiro avy ao ambadika dia mamadika ny fizaran-trano anoloana ho jiro fanilo mafana amin'ny alina.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Varahina

Nandresy ny A' Design Award Varahina ny famolavolana Urban Banyan Famolavolana ny Ati-trano an'ny Kafe Mpanao Mofo, 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 Urban Banyan Famolavolana ny Ati-trano an'ny Kafe Mpanao Mofo. 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 Urban Banyan Famolavolana ny Ati-trano an'ny Kafe Mpanao Mofo 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: 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