Ref Okinawa Arena Hoteri by Uds Ltd. is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Igihembo cya A' Design Award cy'icyuma in Igishushanyo cy'Imbere y'Inyubako Competition Category.

IcyumaImbere y'Inyubako· 2025

Ref Okinawa Arena Hoteri

by Uds Ltd.

Client: Sukoyaka Holdings

Igihembo cya A' Design Award cy'icyuma Winner in Imbere y'Inyubako Category

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Verified Award Winner
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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Ref Okinawa Arena Hoteri

Ref Okinawa Arena ni hoteri iherereye mu mugabane w'Ikirwa cya Okinawa, kure y'uturere tw'ubukerarugendo two ku nkombe. Iyi nyubako y'amagorofa munani yubatswe mu beto igizwe n'ubuso bwose bungana na metero kare 5,929 kandi ikaba irimo ibyumba by'abashyitsi 150, resitora, ibyumba bibiri byo gukodesha inama, sauna, ikibuga cyo koga (pool) ndetse n'ibar iri ku gasenge k'inyubako. Ubwubatsi bw'imbere y'inyubako bushingiye kuri hana-block, ni ubwoko bw'amabuye akoreshwa mu buhumekero busanzwe muri Okinawa, hifashishijwe imigezi y'amabara y'icyatsi cy'ibihugu bishyuha na tigi. Amagorofa abiri ya mbere ni ahantu hakoreshwa mu bikorwa bitandukanye, hahujwe n'ibyuma byo hejuru biri hagati, kandi hafunguriye ku busitani bw'iteraso buhanganye n'ubusitani rusange.

The Recognition

About the Igihembo cya A' Design Award cy'icyuma

Ref Okinawa Arena Hoteri ni uwegukanye Igihembo cya A' Design Award cy'icyuma, ishimwe ry'agaciro ritangwa ku bishushanyo byiza bihuza ibyo umwuga n'inganda bikeneye ku bihangano byashushanyijwe neza. Abegukanye icyuma bagaragaza ubuhanga bukomeye, ubumenyi bwihariye, imyumvire y'inzobere n'ubushobozi bwo guhanga bw'ababikoze. Ref Okinawa Arena Hoteri biteganyijwe ko izaba igihangano cyubahwa, gishimwa kandi gikundwa, gifatika kandi gifite udushya. Iki gishushanyo cyegukanye icyuma gihuza uburyo bwiza bukoreshwa mu nganda kandi gifite ibiranga bya tekiniki bifite ubushobozi, bifatanye n'ubumenyi n'impano. Ref Okinawa Arena Hoteri yubahwa kubera gukora neza, kandi yashushanyijwe kugira ngo inoze ubuzima, ifashe gutuma isi iba nziza.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Ref Okinawa arena is located in the heart of Okinawa island, renowned for its seaside beauty. However, this inland location offers a vibrant contrast to the coastal areas. Known for its sports venues and nostalgic American nightlife, influenced by the nearby U.S. military base, it represents a rich cultural tapestry. This project aims to highlight an alternative side of Okinawa by focusing on local culture and community spirit, offering a fresh perspective on the island's unique charms.
Dimensions & Packaging: The eight-story building, constructed with a reinforced concrete structure, spans a total floor area of approximately 5,929.48 square meters. The hotel features 150 guest rooms, multiple restaurants, two rental meeting spaces, a sauna, a pool, and a rooftop bar.
Tags: hotel, japan, okinawa, ref, okinawa arena
Production Technology: The exterior facade draws from the 'hana-block,' a traditional Okinawan vent block, with a modern twist. Each frame features two colors: tropical green, symbolizing Okinawa’s lush environment, and brick red, reflecting the region’s clay architecture. This duality creates a dynamic effect that captures Okinawa's vibrant spirit as the colors shift with the viewing angle. Inside the guest rooms, the color schemes vary by floor, adding a playful and distinctive touch to the hotel’s design.
Design Challenge: While Okinawa is known for its seaside, this project offers a fresh perspective by highlighting often-overlooked inland charms. Situated away from the beach, the hotel emphasizes local culture, traditions, and community spirit, creating a unique identity distinct from coastal resorts. Additionally, under Park PFI regulations, the ground floor design blends with the surrounding greenery to create a public space that benefits the community.
Research: Adjacent to a U.S. military base, the project highlights the strong influence of American culture in Okinawa. During the colonial period, Okinawa adopted American education and lifestyle, creating a unique blend of American and traditional Okinawan cultures. Despite this rich diversity, a venue is needed to effectively share this cultural fusion. We propose a hotel that encapsulates the charm of Okinawa City, showcasing its distinctive cultural identity and celebrating its multifaceted heritage.
Inspiration: The concept draws from the Okinawan word 'Champuru,' meaning 'mixed,' symbolizing the fusion of traditional Okinawan, Mainland Japanese, Southeast Asian, and American influences. It celebrates this multicultural charm through local materials and collaborations with local artists and the hometown basketball team. The project illustrates how a commercial venture can integrate with the community, enhancing guest experiences and fostering local pride in an environmentally conscious manner.
Project Duration: The project began in May 2021, was completed in July 2023, and opened in August 2023 to coincide with the Basketball World Cup at the nearby Okinawa Arena. To celebrate the hometown basketball team, we collaborated with local artists to create two uniquely themed guest rooms inspired by the team's identity.
Operation Flow: Designed with the community in mind, the hotel's first two floors are multifunctional spaces connected by a central staircase. These spaces open to a terrace garden, linking to the public park across the street and creating a welcoming lounge for locals. The top floor features a pool and music bar inspired by 'Music Town,' a nearby American-influenced venue. This setup encourages both guests and locals to engage in activities from day to night, fostering a vibrant neighborhood atmosphere.
Patents: copyrights belong to uds ltd. 2024.
Team Members: Norito Nakahara
Anna Naganuma
Kaito Fujita
Thanaporn Lohavichitranon
Image Credits: Image #No1 : Photographer Nacasa & Partners Inc., Ref okinawa arena, 2023
Image #No2 : Photographer Nacasa & Partners Inc., Ref okinawa arena, 2023
Image #No3 : Photographer Nacasa & Partners Inc., Ref okinawa arena, 2023
Image #No4 : Photographer Nacasa & Partners Inc., Ref okinawa arena, 2023
Image #No5 : Photographer Nacasa & Partners Inc., Ref okinawa arena, 2023