Ref Okinawa Arena Hotẹẹli by Uds Ltd. is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Irin A' Design Award in Àpẹẹrẹ Àyà Inú Ilé àti Ibi Àfihàn Competition Category.
IrinInú Ilé· 2025
Ref Okinawa Arena Hotẹẹli
by Uds Ltd.
Client: Sukoyaka Holdings
Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Irin A' Design Award Winner in Inú Ilé Category
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- Verified Award Winner
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The Design
About Ref Okinawa Arena Hotẹẹli
Ref Okinawa Arena jẹ́ hotẹẹli tí ó wà ní àárín gbùngbùn Erékùṣù Okinawa, tí ó jìnnà sí àwọn àgbègbè ìsinmi etí Òkun. Ilé náà tí a fi kọnkéríìtì olóhun-irin kọ́ ní ilé-àpapọ̀ mẹ́jọ, tí ó ní àpapọ̀ ààyè ilẹ̀ tí ó tó nǹkan bí mítà 5,929 pẹrẹsẹ, ó sì ní yàrá àlejò 150, àwọn ilé-oúnjẹ, ààyè ìpàdé méjì tí a lè yá, sauna, adágún omi àti báà tí ó wà lórí òrùlé. Ojú-ilé ìta wà lórí ìpìlẹ̀ hana-block, bíríìkì afẹ́fẹ́fẹ́ ìbílẹ̀ Okinawa, pẹ̀lú àwọn férémù aláwọ̀ ewéko olóoru àti aláwọ̀ pupa bíríìkì. Àwọn ilé-àpapọ̀ méjì àkọ́kọ́ jẹ́ ààyè oníṣẹ́ púpọ̀ tí àtẹ̀gùn àárín ń so pọ̀, tí ó sì ṣí sí ọgbà tẹrasi tí ó dojúkọ ọgbà ìtura gbogbo ènìyàn.
The Recognition
About the Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Irin A' Design Award
Ref Okinawa Arena Hotẹẹli jẹ́ olùborí Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Irin A' Design Award, ìdánimọ̀ olókìkí tí a fún àwọn àwòṣe tó dára tí wọ́n pàdé àwọn ohun tí iṣẹ́ àti ilé-iṣẹ́ nílò tí a retí láti ọ̀dọ̀ àwọn ẹ̀dá tí a ṣàwòṣe dáradára. Àwọn olùborí Irin ń fi ìjáfáfá ńlá, ìmọ̀ pàtó gíga, òye ògbóǹtarìgì àti agbára ìṣẹ̀dá àwọn olùṣẹ̀dá wọn hàn. A retí pé Ref Okinawa Arena Hotẹẹli yóò jẹ́ ẹ̀dá tí a kà sí gidigidi, tí a gbóríyìn fún tí a sì nífẹ̀ẹ́, tó wúlò tó sì ní ìmúṣẹ̀dá tuntun. Àwòṣe tó borí Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Irin A' Design Award yìí ń kó àwọn ọ̀nà tó dára jùlọ ilé-iṣẹ́ jọ, ó sì ní àwọn ànímọ́ ìmọ̀-ẹ̀rọ tó péye tí a so mọ́ ìmọ̀ ṣíṣe àti ẹ̀bùn. A bọ̀wọ̀ fún Ref Okinawa Arena Hotẹẹli nítorí ìfọ̀kànbalẹ̀ rẹ̀, a sì ṣàwòṣe rẹ̀ láti pèsè ìmúdára ìgbésí ayé tó ń ran ayé lọ́wọ́ láti di ibi tó dára jù.
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
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