Urban Banyan Idizayini Yangaphakathi Yekhefi Lebhikawozi by Shinjiro Heshiki

Urban Banyan Idizayini Yangaphakathi Yekhefi Lebhikawozi by Shinjiro Heshiki is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Umklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award in Ukudizayina Ingaphakathi Competition Category.

IbhulonziIngaphakathi· 2026

Urban Banyan Idizayini Yangaphakathi Yekhefi Lebhikawozi

by Shinjiro Heshiki

Client: Runva Company Inc.

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

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Colors

The Design

About Urban Banyan Idizayini Yangaphakathi Yekhefi Lebhikawozi

I-Urban Banyan iyidizayini yangaphakathi yekhefi lebhikawozi eNaha City, e-Okinawa. Isikhala sigxile esithombeni esibaziwe sesihlahla se-banyan esilinganiselwa ku-6000 mm ububanzi kanye no-3600 mm ubude. Lo mfanekiso obaziwe uhlanganisa amapulangwe e-lath, i-mortar kanye nopulasta wobuciko, kanti i-resin elula eyenziwe ngokuphrintwa kwe-3D yakha amagatsha futhi ihambisana nemithetho yokuphepha komlilo. Izimpawu zangaphandle bezingavunyelwe, ngakho ifasitela lengilazi elingamamitha angu-14.5 ngaphambili liphethe amaphaneli e-acrylic angu-3 mm aphrintwe ngamacembe abonakala kancane. Ukukhanyiswa ngemuva kuphendula isitolo sibe yilambu elifudumele ebusuku.

The Recognition

About the Umklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award

Urban Banyan Idizayini Yangaphakathi Yekhefi Lebhikawozi 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. Urban Banyan Idizayini Yangaphakathi Yekhefi Lebhikawozi 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. Urban Banyan Idizayini Yangaphakathi Yekhefi Lebhikawozi 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: Centered around a sculptural Banyan tree, this interior blends art and architecture to provide emotional comfort. Embracing the aesthetic of light and shadow, it creates a serene atmosphere. Overcoming strict exterior signage bans, the glass storefront functions as a City Lantern. Semi-transparent leaf prints on acrylic project a warm, organic glow onto the street at night, serving as an architectural beacon without violating building codes.
Dimensions & Packaging: Banyan Tree Artwork: 6000 mm (W) x 3600 mm (H). Acrylic Print Panels: 14500 mm (W) x 1200 mm (H).
Tags: bakery cafe, spatial design, banyan tree, organic interior, lantern facade, light and shadow, digital fabrication, mortar craft, japanese design, okinawa
Production Technology: To meet fire codes, the banyan sculpture uses a hybrid of lath boards, mortar, and artistic plaster. Complex branches integrate lightweight 3D-printed resin to reduce load. The 14.5m window features 3mm acrylic panels with semi-transparent leaf prints. Backlit for a lantern effect, it leverages western exposure, creating a dramatic interplay between the interior and twilight.
Design Challenge: Due to tenant restrictions, no exterior signage was permitted. To overcome this limitation, the design reimagined the entire window surface as a glowing lantern visible from the street, creating both a signature presence and cost efficiency without breaching the building facade rules.
Research: Research focused on material innovation to balance art with strict fire safety. We developed a lightweight structure integrating 3D-printed resin components and noncombustible mortar. We also explored reversible attachment mechanisms for the long-span acrylic window panels. This demonstrates a sustainable approach to large-scale indoor art installations, merging traditional crafts with digital fabrication.
Inspiration: In the concrete jungle of Naha City, this design reintroduces the primal comfort of nature. Inspired by the Okinawan Banyan tree (Gajumaru), revered in folklore as the abode of spirits, the space serves as a modern sanctuary. The concept visualizes the invisible 'Life Force' of the island. By integrating the organic forms of the Banyan with the play of light and shadow, the design transforms a commercial space into a spiritual shelter, offering a moment of primitive healing amidst urban hustle.
Project Duration: The project started in Nov 2024 in Naha City, Okinawa and finished in March 2025
Operation Flow: Guests enter beneath the symbolic canopy of the banyan tree and are naturally guided toward seating areas that embrace the soft western light. The filtered illumination through the acrylic leaf screens shifts subtly throughout the day, providing visitors with a tangible sense of passing time. This visual and spatial rhythm intentionally encourages people to slow their pace, breathe deeply, and experience emotional serenity while enjoying their coffee and bread.
Patents: Copyrights belong to Conception Co., Ltd., 2025.
Image Credits: Photographer: Masahiro Ishibashi