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Grand Gate Hiroshima

UDS / Keichi Ito, Ryo Okada

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The entrance of the Food hall with the bakery on the left and showcases on the right. - Photographer Shinsui Ohara
The central space is anchored by the bakery showcase, its terrazzo finish thoughtfully designed to evoke the pebbles of Hiroshima's flowing rivers. - Photographer Shinsui Ohara
Strategically positioned, the DJ booth bridges the vibrant atmosphere of the craft beer bar on the left and the inviting ambiance of the main bar counter. - Photographer Shinsui Ohara
The entrance of the Food hall with the bakery on the left and showcases on the right. - Photographer Shinsui Ohara

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Comments
Innovation
Functionality
Creativity
Eco-Social Impact
Total
JURY VOTES
Restaurant
6.44
6.94
6.69
6.63
6.67
Budiman Ong
Budiman Ong Creative Director at Ong Cen Kuang
7.5
8
8.5
7
7.75
Arjun Malik
Arjun Malik Principal Architect at Malik Architecture
7.5
8
8
7
7.63
Alvaro Paredes Palacios
Alvaro Paredes Palacios Principal and Partner at The Designlab
8
8
8
7
7.75
Julião Leite
Julião Leite Partner at OODA
8
7.5
8.5
8
8
Valeria Tsikhinia
Valeria Tsikhinia Design Manager- Interior Design | Design & Development at Al Futtaim Real Estate
7.5
8
7.5
7
7.5
Shelley Baxter
Shelley Baxter Design Director New York at March and White
8
8
7.5
7
7.63
Peng Cai
Peng Cai Founder and Principal Architect at Infinite
7.5
8
8
7.5
7.75
Blair Cooper
Blair Cooper Creative Director at Seen Studios
love the playful use of scale for t...
7
7
8.5
6.5
7.25
Lewis Lu
Lewis Lu Head of Planning & Design Department at Shenzhen Qianhai and Shekou Free Trade Zone Investment Development
8
7.5
8
8
7.88
Client
Terrace HLDGS
Floor area
660 ㎡
Completion
2023
Social Media
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The cityscape of Hiroshima is shaped largely by the Ota River that has flown through it since antient times. The concept of the river delta was therefore our main inspiration. The goal of the layout and shape of the space was to imitate the delta, naturally drawing customers to the retail zones encouraging exploration and discovery while contributing to the area's revitalization and fostering a new sense of community and shared enjoyment among locals and travelers alike. Directly connected via pedestrian walkways to Hiroshima Station, this vibrant food hall serves as a dynamic gateway to the city's essence, embodying the "Delta" design concept. The thoughtfully planned open-concept space, artfully divided into seven distinct yet interconnected zones, fosters a seamless flow and a unified harmony that mirrors Hiroshima's diverse yet cohesive urban fabric.

While each of the six individual stores within the food hall boasts its own unique design identity, a cohesive design narrative weaves throughout the entire space, creating a sense of unity and harmony that mirrors the diverse yet integrated fabric of Hiroshima city. This deliberate approach not only highlights the distinct character of each culinary offering but also fosters a dynamic and inviting atmosphere, aiming to spark a new flow of people and activity within the Hiroshima community. Strategically positioned beneath office floors, the food hall presents a compelling model for integrated urban spaces, enhancing vibrancy and convenience for both office workers and visitors.

Guests embark on a curated journey, transitioning from the welcoming and casual entrance, featuring a bakery and retail showcasing local goods, to the more refined ambiance of the full-service restaurant and exclusive VIP salon nestled towards the rear. The aesthetic design of the food hall is deeply rooted in the natural and industrial heritage of Hiroshima, with each material and furniture piece meticulously selected to evoke the city’s unique character.

At the entrance, the bakery counter features a terrazzo finish embedded with pebbles, reminiscent of the stones found in Hiroshima’s Mountain streams, immediately grounding the space in the local landscape. The craft beer bar provides another striking example of this design approach. The countertop, crafted with resin, captures the shimmering quality of the rivers and the Seto Inland Sea, reflecting the vital waterways that define the region.

Moving further into the food hall, the chef’s table and the kappo (Japanese-style counter dining) area feature terrazzo countertops incorporating locally sourced shells, a subtle yet powerful nod to Hiroshima’s coastal identity and its historical connection to marine industries. These carefully chosen materials serve not only as aesthetic elements but also as tactile and visual reminders of Hiroshima’s intrinsic beauty and history, enriching the overall sensory experience for visitors.