- 2026 Prize
- From Industrial Architecture
Miroku Nissho Factory
Project Description
Miroku’s firearms have never been conceived as mere tools. From their earliest history, they have been crafted as works of art—objects in which meticulous precision gives rise to a distinct aesthetic presence. The true value of Miroku lies not only in performance, but in an uncompromising pursuit of beauty embedded within every detail.
This project is an attempt to expand that philosophy into the scale of architecture. Rather than designing a factory as a purely functional container for production, the aim was to create an overwhelmingly beautiful architectural artwork—one that embodies Miroku’s spirit, aesthetic sensibility, and identity in built form.
The architectural form is derived from the motif of the three interlinked bridge rings depicted in Miroku’s logo. By fragmenting a massive industrial volume into articulated elements, the design gives physical expression to continuity, rhythm, and tension. These qualities echo the focused intensity and controlled dynamics inherent in the act of precision manufacturing, translating an invisible discipline into a visible architectural language.
The exterior is unified by the use of Miroku Blue, the company’s corporate color. This deep blue recalls both the refined surfaces of meticulously finished firearms and the clear, profound blue of the Niyodo River flowing through Kochi. Through this color, corporate identity and local memory are layered into a single architectural expression, grounding the building in its place while projecting a global presence.
As light and viewpoint shift, the sharp edges of the building continuously change their appearance. This subtle transformation recreates, at an architectural scale, the tactile beauty experienced when handling a finely crafted product. The building does not merely house manufacturing; it spatially reenacts the aesthetic values that have long guided Miroku’s craftsmanship.
This factory stands as a vessel that visualizes Miroku’s corporate identity. It carries forward, into the future, the spirit that has elevated firearms from industrial products to works of art—now expressed through architecture as a lasting and powerful form.
KAWADA INDUSTRIES, INC.
Founded in Toyama, Japan, in 1922, KAWADA INDUSTRIES, INC. is a leading engineering and construction company specializing in steel structures. Its expertise spans bridges, architectural steelwork, general construction and proprietary building systems for factories, warehouses and other large-scale facilities. Drawing on more than a century of experience in metal fabrication, the company combines advanced engineering, manufacturing and construction capabilities to create safe, durable and highly functional environments. Guided by its philosophy of creating safe and comfortable living environments, KAWADA continues to explore new possibilities in architecture through technological innovation and craftsmanship.
MR STUDIO Co., Ltd.
MR STUDIO Co., Ltd. is a Tokyo-based architecture and design practice founded in 2017 by architect Nobuaki Miyashita. Working across architecture, interior design, landscape, lighting and signage, the studio creates integrated environments that make the identity of each client, place and industry visible through design. Its portfolio encompasses corporate headquarters, factories, offices, educational facilities and residences throughout Japan.
Projects designed or led by Miyashita have received more than 500 national and international design awards, including the AIA International Design Awards, The International Architecture Awards presented by The Chicago Athenaeum, Red Dot Design Award, iF DESIGN AWARD, GOOD DESIGN® Awards presented by The Chicago Athenaeum, A’ Design Award Gold, German Design Award, Selected Architectural Designs of the Architectural Institute of Japan, Japan Sign Design Award Grand Prix, BCS Prize, and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award at the Nikkei New Office Awards.
Miyashita currently serves as a jury member for The American Architecture Awards presented by The Chicago Athenaeum, A’ DESIGN AWARD & COMPETITION in Italy, and the 4 Future Awards in Canada, further demonstrating his international recognition within the fields of architecture and design. Since 2018, MR STUDIO has collaborated with KAWADA INDUSTRIES on architectural projects and design development.
