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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination.

Cafeteria in Ushimado, Japan by Niji Architects

January 7th, 2014 by Sumit Singhal

Article source: Niji Architects

This cafeteria is a timber framed, single-story building located in Ushimado of Setouchi city, Okayama prefecture, Japan. It serves as a canteen for a local construction company as well as a cafeteria for the local community. The building structure and its finishes are kept simple and the presence of the building is kept to a bare minimum. The building design focuses mainly on its primary function as a cafeteria for the local people and to familiarize itself to the community.

Image Courtesy © Masafumi Harada / Niji Photo

Architects: Niji Architects (AI Design + OHNO JAPAN)
Project: Cafeteria
Location: Ushimado, Japan
Photography: Masafumi Harada / Niji Photo
Building area: 166.32m2
Total floor area: 144.00m2
Type of Construction: Timber structure
Number of stories: 1F
Building height: 3.37ｍ
Principal use: Shop(Cafeteria)
Principal designer: Masafumi Harada / Niji Architects
Construction: UG Giken
Design period: August 2012 – December 2012
Construction period: January 2013 – April 2013

Finish

Structure: Exposed timber structure
Roof: Folded metal roof
External façade: Clear float glass t=10mm with glass film
Window: Wooden sash window and Aluminum sash window

Image Courtesy © Masafumi Harada / Niji Photo

The folded metal plate roof is directly fixed to the 3m grid timber structural frame, which consists of 120mmx120mm timber used for columns, foundation, bracings and 180mmx120mm timber beams. The building completes itself with glass walls, which are fixed directly to the timber structure with timber battens.

Image Courtesy © Masafumi Harada / Niji Photo

The detailing and materials used intentionally designed to appear unrefined to create a relaxing atmosphere helping visitors to unwind within the space. With a single large internal space and full aperture to the external views, this highly transparent building becomes a bright, open and inviting cafeteria.

We believe this construction method can also be used for other building types. It can be a prototype of new prefabricated timber construction with endless possibilities for further development.

Image Courtesy © Masafumi Harada / Niji Photo

Image Courtesy © Niji Architects

: Image Courtesy © Masafumi Harada / Niji Photo

: Image Courtesy © Masafumi Harada / Niji Photo

: Image Courtesy © Masafumi Harada / Niji Photo

Contact Niji Architects

Tags: Japan, Ushimado

Category: Cafeteria

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