Merci Ikhefi by Yuma Sato is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Umklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award in Ukudizayina Ezokwakha, Izakhiwo Nezinhlaka Competition Category.

IbhulonziEzokwakha· 2025

Merci Ikhefi

by Yuma Sato

Client: Koto Architecture Lab Inc

Umklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award Winner in Ezokwakha Category

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Colors

The Design

About Merci Ikhefi

Merci yikhefi lezitshalo elakhiwe endaweni yasemakhaya phakathi kwamadolobha amabili. Ikhefi lizungezwe imigwaqo futhi libheke phezu kwezimbono ezinhle zasemaphandleni. Izindlela zokwakha ngezigodo kanye nezibalo eziphucukile zesakhiwo zivumela izigcawu eziphezulu ezikhulu ezivulekile. I-atrium ephakathi evulekile iletha ubunye ezindaweni ezihlukahlukene futhi igcwalisa ngaphakathi ngokukhanya kwemvelo, okwenza indawo yokuphumula noma ngasiphi isikhathi sosuku. Uphahla lomhlaba lwenziwe ngamagxolo ekhofi asetshenziswe kabusha aqiniswe ngesimende, kanti izindonga zangaphandle zisebenzisa izinto zemvelo. Kuphakelwa izithako zendawo, okusekela ukujikeleza kwesifunda kanye nomphakathi ozungezile.

The Recognition

About the Umklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award

Merci Ikhefi iwinile uMklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award, ukwaziswa okuhloniphekile kakhulu okunikezwa imiklamo ephawulekayo eyehlukaniswa ukudala, ubuhlakani nobukhali bengqondo. Abawinile beBhulonzi yimisebenzi enobuchule obukhulu nedala ngokumangalisayo eqinisekisa isipiliyoni esibanzi, umcabango nobuhlakani babaklami babo. Merci Ikhefi ilindeleke ukuba ibe yinto exatshwa kakhulu, edunyiswayo nethandwayo, enobungcweti obuphawulekayo nezinto ezintsha. Lo mklamo owinile uMklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award uhlanganisa izindlela ezinhle kakhulu ebuciko, esayensi, ekuklameni nasebuchwepheshe futhi uhamba phambili ngenxa yokunaka kwawo imininingwane. Merci Ikhefi iyanelisa izidingo ngokumangalisayo, ithinta izifiso, iheha imizwa futhi ikhanga ukufuna ukwazi.

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