Merci Kafe by Yuma Sato is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award Gangsa in Reka Bentuk Seni Bina, Bangunan dan Struktur Competition Category.

GangsaSeni Bina· 2025

Merci Kafe

by Yuma Sato

Client: Koto Architecture Lab Inc

A' Design Award Gangsa Winner in Seni Bina 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 ialah sebuah kafe tumbuhan yang dibina di kawasan luar bandar antara dua buah bandar. Kafe ini dikelilingi oleh jalan raya dan menghadap ke pemandangan luar bandar yang indah. Kaedah pembinaan berasaskan kayu serta pengiraan struktur termaju membolehkan siling terbuka yang luas dibina. Sebuah atrium terbuka di tengah menyatukan pelbagai ruang dan mengisi bahagian dalaman dengan cahaya semula jadi, mewujudkan suasana tenang pada bila-bila masa. Lantai diperbuat daripada hampas kopi kitar semula yang dipejalkan dengan simen, manakala dinding luar menggunakan bahan semula jadi. Bahan-bahan tempatan dihidangkan bagi menyokong peredaran ekonomi serantau dan masyarakat sekitar.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Gangsa

Merci Kafe ialah pemenang A' Design Award Gangsa, pengiktirafan yang amat berprestij yang dianugerahkan kepada reka bentuk cemerlang yang dicirikan oleh kreativiti, kecerdikan dan ketajaman fikiran. Pemenang Gangsa ialah artifak yang amat mahir dan sangat kreatif yang membuktikan pengalaman luas, imaginasi dan akal budi pereka bentuknya. Merci Kafe diharapkan menjadi objek yang sangat dihargai, dikagumi dan disayangi, sangat profesional dan inovatif. Reka bentuk pemenang A' Design Award Gangsa ini merangkumi amalan terbaik dalam seni, sains, reka bentuk dan teknologi, dan cemerlang dalam perhatiannya terhadap butiran. Merci Kafe memenuhi keperluan 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