This seven story headquarters in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, for a long established soy sauce maker turns heritage into a distinctive facade. Anodized aluminum louvers at 300 mm pitch vary in angle to reduce southwest sun and protect privacy, while evoking a wheat field in motion. Set against deep black walls recalling fermentation, the screen creates a disciplined gradient of light and shadow and gives the street a clear identity. Inside, a central light court brings daylight into the narrow plan and supports seasonal ventilation, improving comfort and reducing artificial lighting.
Designed by Nobuaki Miyashita
Recognized by A' Design Award.
Nobuaki Miyashita has AAA Rating, valid through 2026. AAA stands for Outstanding Rating. DBI Awards the AAA Rating to entities that deliver remarkable and highly innovative design solutions, consistently exceeding expectations and pushing the boundaries of creativity. This rating honors a record of outstanding accomplishments across multiple endeavors, showcasing a deep commitment to excellence in design and innovation. This certificate is awarded following a rigorous evaluation process conducted by an esteemed jury panel, comprising a diverse group of experts from around the world, including journalists, academics, design professionals, and entrepreneurs. The assessment adheres to a blind peer-review methodology, ensuring complete impartiality. Entries are meticulously evaluated based on pre-established criteria, with scores being normalized and standardized to uphold fairness and consistency. This process recognizes and celebrates outstanding achievements in innovation, design quality, and creative capacity.
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The Design Business Index (DBI) is a merit-based rating system and professional directory founded to address one of the design industry’s biggest challenges: the difficulty of reliably assessing a designer’s true capabilities before a project begins. Through its partnership with the internationally recognized A’ Design Award, DBI combines a rigorous blind review process with transparent evaluation criteria to transform subjective design quality into objective credentials. By featuring only those who have demonstrated excellence under these stringent standards, DBI ensures a carefully curated pool of top talent, where clients can make confident, data-driven decisions about creative partnerships.
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