- 2026 Gold Prize
- From Office Architecture
Natureʼs edge
Project Description
The project site is in the north of Okinawa, Japan.
A region is lovingly called Yanbaru.
Our client, a real estate company has chosen this nature-rich location to be its district office.
Preserving the nature found on-site was an important focus of the project, a layout was drawn mindful of the location of each tree located on-site.
During construction, a maximum effort was put into preserving the original plant life as much as possible.
The facade is a mix of exposed concrete and Accoya wood, acetylated pine wood, amongst other accents.
The lip of the facade tapers inward creating a softer impression, also helping to blend in with the surrounding nature.
A hallway/atrium connects all rooms in the building.
Two slits: one in the celling, one at foot-level, runs the length of the hallway exposing it to the outside elements.
Also running the length of the hallway is the atrium mostly populated with native plants also specifically local to the Yanbaru area.
A main focal point of the garden is traditional Okinawa drystone masonry using a type of limestone also sourced nearby. The drystone walls are built with a distinctive curved structure taking direct inspiration from iconic castles of the Ryukyu period.
The Okinawa economy is centered around and is reliant on its rich nature.
By designing an office that puts such nature front end center, we hope to both convey our deep respect of nature and our hopes to the development of a new Okinawa.
Company Name: CLAIR archi lab
Representative: Takeshi Hatakeyama
PROFILE of Takeshi Hatakeyama
Qualification: 1st Class Architect
Interior Planner
1st Class Landscape Management Engineer
1974- Born in Fukuyama-shi, Hiroshima, Japan
1997- Graduated from Kanagawa University
2015- Established CLAIR archi lab
Main Awards
・Okinawa Architecture Award (Grand Prize) ‒ House with Panoramic Ocean View (2015)
・JCD OKINAWA (Gold Prize) ‒ Generous House (2021)
・GOOD DESIGN AWARD ‒ Natureʼs edge (2024)
・Okinawa Architecture Award (Encouragement Prize) ‒ A Place Inherited (2024)
Our Design Philosophy
Our work is founded on the belief that architecture is not only the creation of buildings, but also that of the surrounding environment we live in.
We value “peopleʼs minds” and “oneness with nature”, and believe that the two are the keys in creating a better environment and designing buildings that may be cherished by many peoples over the years.
We believe that is even as buildings change their shape and content throughout the years and decades peopleʼs hearts are a constant in life not easily swayed by trend nor time.
And so, it is through people that we learn and grow. How our forbearers built, lived and formed communities, and carry their wisdoms into our contemporary design.
The other value is a feeling of “oneness with nature”. It is nature that provides us with the subtle presence of light and shadow, seasonal wind and the smells thereof, sounds of rain.
These elements may not necessarily feel essential for our daily lives, but they nevertheless have unchangingly captured peopleʼs hearts and minds for generations.
Our aim is to faithfully articulate these convictions that guide our work.
We believe our approach is likewise reflected on our project, “Natureʼs edge”, where our goal was to blur the boundary between nature and architecture.