Yuma Sato · CLIENT: Koto Architecture Lab Inc
Merci is a plant cafe built in a rural setting between two cities. The cafe is surrounded by roads and looks out over scenic countryside views. Wooden construction methods and advanced structural calculations allow extensive open ceilings. A central open atrium brings unity to the diverse spaces and fills the interior with natural light, creating a restful place at any time of day. The flooring is made from recycled coffee grounds solidified with cement, and the outer walls use natural materials. Local ingredients are served, supporting regional circulation and the surrounding community.
Press Kit
- 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.
- 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.
- 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. - Image Credits
- photo:Iku Asanuma
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