Works#Kansai

The prestigious Rihga Royal Hotel Osaka, which boasts a 90-year history and has been loved by many guests including state guests and members of the Imperial Family as "Osaka's guesthouse," has grand reopened as "Rihga Royal Hotel Osaka Vignette Collection" in anticipation of the opening of the Osaka-Kansai Expo in April 2025. This is due to the introduction of "Vignette Collection," one of the brands of IHG Hotels & Resorts. Inheriting the hotel's history and identity, and blending it with the charm of the beautiful scenery surrounding it, unique to the city of water, it has been reborn as a space that will be loved for generations. For this renovation, our company handled concept design of the entrance, reception, public areas, guest rooms, banquet halls, and gym, as well as working drawings and construction of the guest room area, art, and FF&E.

Focusing on the lives and dreams of the people who played an active role in Himeji Castle, we proposed that visitors experience the value of the structures and objects by displays staging appropriate to the location, such as the armory of the main keep, the Watari Yagura (tower of the castle), and the make-up tower, and be moved by them. Specifically, in order to convey the charm of these structures, we helped create scenes of daily life and dreams along with stories of the people who played an active role at Himeji Castle, focusing on displays scenes and experiences displays that recreate the conditions of those days.

Since its founding in 1980, FOXEY has consistently pursued the concept of "clothing that accentuates the beauty of women," making it a unique Made-in-Japan brand. The "FOXEY ADEAM KITTE Osaka store" opened in KITTE Osaka, a new landmark in Osaka, and became the first street-level store in the Osaka area. Our company was in charge of interiors construction work.

Sorappa, which opened in Gran Green Osaka, is a lounge exclusively for workers, consisting of a dining area, a café that doubles as a workspace, and a terrace. The dining area is an open space with a 7m-high window that overlooks the Umekita Park, making it suitable for groups to use without worrying about others around them. The open space extends from the café to the terrace, and on sunny days you can enjoy a relaxing cafe time while looking at the beautiful view.

The Panasonic Group Pavilion "Nomo's Land" is based on the concept of "Unlock your nature," and is a pavilion that draws out the potential of children through technology that analyzes their sensibilities and experiences that stimulate the five senses. Utilizing the latest technology from Panasonic Holdings, the pavilion achieves a spatial design that harmonizes with the world of "Nomo's Land" by using tiles that evoke the tactile concept design of walking on natural ground, finishes made of natural wood with a metallic texture, and concept design methods that integrate 3D printing. In terms of sustainability, the pavilion incorporates advanced design and construction methods, including the reusability of tiles and biodegradable resin printing, and the spatial and experiential concept design approach is centered on what can be done for the future of children.

We concept design the entire house, from design administration concept design the interior and concept design. The site overlooks the Sea of Japan, and the surrounding area is characterized by a complex, intricate ria coastline, known as a scenic spot with dynamic geological formations called "caves." Looking at the surrounding area, a labyrinthine network of alleys creates a unique streetscape. This is a characteristic of the region, with its cranked, square-shaped intersections designed to prevent northerly winds from blowing through. By incorporating this unique alley configuration into the first-floor plan, we segmented the building volume and harmonized it with the surrounding environment. The exterior and entrance hall are designed to resemble the topography of the ria coastline, and the setback from the south ensures continuity with the streetscape. On the other hand, the north facade is raised one level above the surrounding area, creating a three-dimensional, square-shaped structure intended to prevent northerly winds from blowing through into the town. Regarding the exterior finish, in order to reflect the distinctive appearance of the ria coast, where the lower part is rocky and the upper part is covered with trees, we used exposed aggregate concrete to resemble rock on the lower layer and wood-grain concrete made with cedar formwork on the upper layer. Both the aggregate that is exposed on the surface and the cedar formwork materials are locally sourced, and we hope that the unique texture created by these materials will weave the distinctive scenery of the location into the future. In addition, this two-tiered structure is also applied to the interior finishes, creating a sense of unity with the architecture and contributing to the development of a cohesive feel between the interior and exterior.

Thirty years have passed since the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, and as the number of people who did not experience the earthquake increases, we have renovated the Kobe Port Earthquake Memorial Park, which was built in 1997 immediately after the earthquake. By contrasting the remains preserved as they were at the time of the earthquake with the rebuilt city of Kobe, displays symbolically conveys the horror of the earthquake and the strength of the people of Kobe who rebuilt the city. In renewing displays, we restructured the content to be easily understood by younger generations who did not experience the earthquake, and also translated displays displays graphics and videos into multiple languages for the increasing number of foreign tourists in recent years. In addition, we created AR content as a new displays element that allows visitors to compare the state of the remains before, during, and after the earthquake. The renovation was carried out with the aim of having many people, regardless of nationality or age, visit this place and continue to be a place that passes on the memories and lessons of the earthquake to future generations.

GRAND GREEN OSAKA South Building is a complex with a variety of functions, including 55 shops and restaurants, two hotels and offices, wellness facilities, and MICE facilities. As a pioneer of cutting-edge urban lifestyles, it is home to a wide variety of international restaurants and shops. The largest urban spa in the Kansai region features natural hot springs and an infinity pool overlooking Umekita Park, and as a wellness hub, it offers high-value experiences such as health, beauty, exercise, and relaxation. In addition, a large-scale food market called "Time Out Market Osaka" overseen by the global media "Time Out" has opened on the first basement floor.

Kagaya is a renowned Japanese inn with its main branch located in Wakura Onsen, Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture. In January 2024, Kagaya suffered extensive damage from an earthquake that struck off the coast of the Noto Peninsula. However, a pine tree stood tall at the entrance of the inn, undeterred by the disaster, and its majestic presence deeply moved people. Therefore, in creating this new store, we adopted the "pine tree," which is revered as an object of prayer in the Noto region, as concept design concept. On the counter ceiling in the center of the store, a design made of interwoven pine needles symbolically represents the pine tree reaching towards the heavens. The facade features concept design that represents pine needles reaching towards the Noto sky, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for visitors. Furthermore, the silver-threaded obi, which has been passed down through generations of female innkeepers, is displayed on a shelf behind the counter, and handcrafted items and works of art that have been passed down through generations at the inn are scattered throughout, carrying on the beauty and craftsmanship of Noto. We have created the store together with Kagaya, drawing parallels between their tradition, spirit of hospitality, and desire for a comeback, and the vitality and strength of the pine trees of Noto.

Approximately 400 years ago, the first Osaka Castle, built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, fell during the Summer Siege of Osaka and was buried underground by the Tokugawa Shogunate with a massive amount of earth. This project aims to excavate and restore the Toyotomi-era stone walls from underground after 400 years and open them to the public. In this unique facility, which allows visitors to descend into an underground space to view the ruins, we have strived to create displays that convey the unique value of the Toyotomi-era stone walls, which differ from the stone walls rebuilt by the Tokugawa Shogunate. We have constructed displays story and presentation that allows visitors to relive the process of identifying the Toyotomi-era stone walls, their characteristics, and the turbulent history they have experienced. Furthermore, by overlapping this with the process of visiting the ruins, which involves going up and down from above ground to underground and back to above ground, we have created an even more special displays space. In addition, while valuing the presentation of the stone walls themselves, we have conveyed the inherent charm of the ruins through an integrated presentation that links video, lighting, and sound.

This project involves the complete renovation of the retail and environmental areas from the building's entrance to the lobby (grand hall) of the Takarazuka Grand Theater, which is celebrating its 111th anniversary. Based on the concept of "Dreams begin here," the aim was to create a space that would continue to deliver dreams to many customers and be loved by them, while carefully inheriting the charm of the Takarazuka Grand Theater that has been nurtured over the years. From the moment you step inside the building, you will be enveloped in the glamorous world of Takarazuka Revue, and the space will be an extraordinary and exhilarating experience that leads you to dreams and emotions. By unifying concept design of interiors environment and creating the world of Takarazuka Revue throughout the entire building, we planned a space that would make the time before and after the performance more comfortable, and that could be enjoyed by customers who are not attending a performance. By extracting motifs that represent "Takarazuka-ness" from elements of Takarazuka Revue's stages and shows, as well as the building of the Grand Theater, and reconstructing them as a modern concept design, we have created a space that will be loved even more by existing fans, and will also attract new fans, leading to an enhancement of the brand value that looks ahead to the future of Takarazuka Revue.

Kurukuru is a public mobility service run by local residents that has been operating provisionally as a means of transportation in Nitto-cho and Daishi-cho, Kawachinagano City, where population decline and an aging population are accelerating after 50 years since the development of residential land. In order to operate the transportation service that supports local mobility with the initiative of local residents, we held a participatory art workshop. Together with members of the art club of a local junior high school and local residents, we held a total of 10 art workshops, "See, Learn, Create," with the aim of reaffirming social issues through art, rediscovering the charm of the town, and fostering a sense of participation in town development among local residents through co-creation.

The "SeaZoo" fish displays area at Kinosaki Marine World in Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, celebrated its 30th anniversary and reopened on July 25, 2024, after renovations. The concept of the newly completed displays "CUBE" in "SeaZoo" is "Towards a more conversational aquarium." Through conversations with the creatures and zookeepers, 20 cube-shaped tanks, illustrations, and graphic boards, it aims to be a new displays style that encourages learning together, curiosity, new discoveries, and free thinking.

The Nintendo Museum is a facility created by renovating Nintendo's Uji Ogura factory. It features displays of numerous products released by Nintendo to date, new gameplay experiences reborn with the latest technology, workshops, a cafe, and a shop, allowing visitors to learn about and experience Nintendo's history and commitment to craftsmanship. Our group brought together the combined strength of over 100 members for this project, working together as one to drive it forward. We supported the facility from concept to overall planning, and were responsible for concept design, architecture, and construction. Furthermore, for the museum's operation, our group company, Seeds Three, handles the staffing department, while Nomura Medias handles maintenance, upkeep, and shop tenant management.

Cacao Tiegokaan visits cacao producing areas and works with cacao farmers to create chocolate from beans without compromise. The interior of the store is decorated with crushed cacao husk, the thin skin of cacao that is discarded during the chocolate manufacturing process. The chocolate carefully made from cacao fruit and the interior of the store, wrapped in cacao husk, resonate with each other, creating a special space where you can experience the charm of cacao with your whole body.