Kengo Kuma Designs a Dramatically Vaulted Cafe to Evoke Japan’s Sloping Tottori Sand Dunes — Colossal



Design

#architecture
#Japan
#Kengo Kuma
#wood

December 10, 2022

Grace Ebert

A photo of a wooden building with a pergola at night

All images ©︎ Kawasumi-Kobayashi Kenji Photograph Office

Overlooking Japan’s vast Tottori Sand Dunes is a new two-level structure that connects earth and atmosphere. Dubbed a “staircase to the sky,” Takahama Café is one of architect Kengo Kuma’s latest projects that reflects the surrounding environment. The dramatically vaulted building, which totals 199 square meters, is constructed with cross-laminated timber and reinforced concrete and features a balcony topped with a pergola for visitors to view the region. Sand from the dunes textures the Washi paper pendant lights inside, and in honor of local craftspeople and traditions, the studio tasked the Tottori Mingei pottery workshop Nakai-gama with creating the bathroom sinks, which are cloaked in its signature blue-black glaze.

For more from Kuma (previously) and his team, visit the studio’s site. (via designboom)

 

A photo of a wooden building with a pergola

A photo of a wooden building with a pergola and overlook cafe

A photo of a sloping wooden building with stairs on the side

A photo of an indoor cafe

A photo of an indoor cafe

A photo of a wooden building with a pergola

A photo of a dramatically sloped wooden roof

#architecture
#Japan
#Kengo Kuma
#wood

 

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