Embraced in Recycled Steel 辦公大樓 by Nobuaki Miyashita

Embraced in Recycled Steel 辦公大樓 by Nobuaki Miyashita is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award 金獎 in 建築、樓宇及結構設計 Competition Category.

金建築· 2025

Embraced in Recycled Steel 辦公大樓

by Nobuaki Miyashita

Client: Kyoei Steel Ltd

A' Design Award 金獎 Winner in 建築 Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #170802

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Embraced in Recycled Steel 辦公大樓

「回收鋼鐵懷抱」係一座位於日本山口縣、為鋼鐵回收公司而設嘅辦公大樓。外觀採用以鋼坯為靈感嘅堆疊式結構，配合特殊塗層營造出質感變化。室內以角鋼、扁鋼同螺紋鋼筋作為飾面材料，令結構元素坦然展現於眼前。條碼同二維碼圖案貫穿各個空間，天花則將形似鋼坯嘅無縫LED燈具同鋼製百葉相結合。大樓地上共四層，最高高度為19.9米。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 金獎

Embraced in Recycled Steel 辦公大樓是 A' Design Award 金獎得主，這是授予一流、絕妙而傑出設計的極為崇高的認可。金獎得主是極具創新、極富遠見且璀璨奪目的創作，反映出其設計師的天才、智慧與才幹。預計Embraced in Recycled Steel 辦公大樓將成為一項備受讚譽、引領潮流、氣勢恢宏的發明，帶來前所未有的價值。這件贏得 A' Design Award 金獎的設計是一個壯觀而受人敬重的項目，極大地造福並拓展藝術、科學、設計和技術的界限。Embraced in Recycled Steel 辦公大樓激起強烈的渴望，喚起激情，鼓勵創造力，令我們著迷。

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Kyoei Steel recycles steel scrap using electric furnaces. The new Yamaguchi office themed An Office Embraced in Recycled Steel embodies this transformation. The exterior draws from stacked billets while the interior uses locally sourced angle steel and rebars. Barcode and QR code designs extend through office spaces, harmonizing steel and light. The lighting design transforms these patterns into three dimensional forms, adding depth and movement, symbolizing Kyoei Steel’s identity and vision.
Dimensions & Packaging: Site Area: 108,045.44 Square meters
Building Area: 1,091.12 Square meters
Total Floor Area: 3,931.89 Square meters
Structure: RC
Number of Floors: 4 above ground
Maximum Height: 19.9 m
Eaves Height: 16.5 m
Floor Height: 3.9 m
Ceiling Height: 2.9 m
Tags: architecture, office, lighting design, recycled steel, sustainable design
Production Technology: The building’s exterior adopts a stacked structure inspired by Kyoei Steel’s billets, with special coatings creating textural variations symbolizing recycling. The interior features angle steel, flat bars, and deformed steel bars as finish materials, bringing typically hidden structural elements into the architectural expression. The lighting design integrates seamless LED fixtures shaped like billets, harmonizing with steel louvers on the ceiling for a cohesive lighting environment.
Design Challenge: The main challenge was to create an architecture that symbolizes the company’s identity without compromising factory functionality. The project required extensive testing to utilize steel materials not only structurally but also aesthetically. Special focus was given to the QR code-inspired vertical design and lighting integration, which underwent multiple prototypes and refinements to achieve the desired effect.
Research: Type of Research: Architectural design research
Research Objectives: Exploring recycled steel’s potential in architecture
Methodology: Material analysis and spatial testing
Data Collection: Mock-ups and lighting simulations
Participants: Designers, engineers, technical experts
Results: The building serves as a showroom, demonstrating recycled steel’s architectural potential
Impact: Set a benchmark for sustainable design while enhancing corporate branding and public awareness
Inspiration: The design reflects the process of transforming recycled scrap metal into new steel products, embodying Kyoei Steel’s commitment to sustainability. The stacked billet-inspired structure symbolizes the recycling and regeneration of steel resources, visually expressing the company's dedication. The interior incorporates the company’s own steel materials, such as angle steel, rebars, and flat bars, ensuring their strength, durability, and aesthetic appeal are fully showcased throughout the space.
Project Duration: The project commenced in early 2022 in Yamaguchi, Japan, with design and planning phases focused on integrating Kyoei Steel’s identity into the architecture. Construction began in mid-2023, aiming to unify office functions while enhancing operational efficiency and employee engagement. The office was completed in early 2024, creating a sustainable workspace that embodies the company’s commitment to steel recycling and innovation.
Operation Flow: This building visualizes Kyoei Steel’s recycling process, transforming the journey of recycled scrap metal into an architectural experience. The stacked billet-inspired exterior symbolizes material circulation, while the interior features angle steel and deformed bars as finish materials. The stairwell integrates a QR code motif with lighting, creating an interplay of steel and light that intuitively communicates the company’s technology and commitment to sustainability.
Patents: N/A
Team Members: N/A
Image Credits: Image #1,#3,#4 : Photographer Nobuaki Miyashita Variations, 2024
Image #2,#5 : Photographer Sato Kenta, Variations, 2024.