Article source: TERRAIN architects

A commercial building was built for a Japanese restaurant, a cafe and small shops sharing a concept that enhances local values of food and materials. It is located in a residential area of a suburban town in Kampala, Uganda. We designed the building with a big thatched roof that complements the gently sloping land at right angles to the contour lines keeping 5 existing trees.

The slope was too gradual for people to recognize, so we tried to take advantage of this character through our design. At its lowest point, it is a two-story building, while in the middle, the basement sinks into the landscape. The ground floor, under the level of 4m plus a parking level, is made out of concrete and steel, and 1st floor is made out of timber, eucalyptus.

Image Courtesy © Timothy Latim

• Architects: TERRAIN architects (Ikko Kobayashi + Fumi Kashimura / TERRAIN architects, Shinnosuke Yamashita Albert Wasswa)
  
• Project: Yamasen Japanese Restaurant
• Location: Kampala, Uganda
• Photography: Timothy Latim
  
• Local architects: Patricia Kayongo Rutiba /Dream Architects
• Contractor: Cots Cots Ltd (separately ordering)
• Structure Design: Mitsuhiro Kanada / Tokyo University of the Arts
• Site Area: 3,371 ㎡
• Total Floor Area: 785㎡
• Completion: 2018

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