“Maison Owl Wins 2024 Japan Architectural Association Award”

We are pleased to announce that the cave restaurant “house & restaurant maison owl” has won the 2024 Architectural Institute of Japan Award for Works.

Evaluation by the Architectural Institute of Japan
Award-winning architect Junya Ishigami received the following comments from the judges. His work was praised for its innovative technology, spatial usage, and impact.

Artistic Appeal and Emotional Resonance
This piece provides a space that touches on emotions such as freedom and joy. It presents architecture as an art form to be appreciated rather than a reflection of societal issues.

Innovative Relationship Between Land and Architecture
By embedding the building into the ground, this project overturns the traditional concept of structures resting on the earth. It creates a new relationship through a unique construction method of excavating the concrete framework.

Specific Spatial Experience
The gaps created by multiple concrete structures produce a rich sequence of spaces. The approach of descending stairs from the original ground level offers a moving and engaging spatial experience.

Precise Design and Diverse Forms
Using 3D scanning technology, the design achieves diverse forms through the junctions between concrete and soil. This results in richly expressive surfaces and skillfully integrated glass windows and doors.

Planning and Expansion of View
Centered around three gardens, the residential and restaurant areas are arranged to create a sense of unity through corridor design. This ensures that the space feels expansive and not cramped, offering unobstructed views.

About the Award
For Junya Ishigami, this is his second Japan Institute of Architects Award, following his 2009 win for the “Kanagawa Institute of Technology KAIT Workshop.” This work, decided almost unanimously after 15 years, originally began with Chef Hirata’s strong desire. The ideas for this project seem to stem from Ishigami’s past works, which are continuously updated. His work, house & restaurant maison owl, transcends traditional architectural concepts, allowing for new sensations and the passage of time. It will continue to evolve as an inspiring restaurant.

About the Architectural Institute of Japan Awards
These awards recognize individuals or groups who have made significant contributions in the field of architecture and construction in Japan. For more information, visit the official site.

Awardee
Junya Ishigami (Representative Director of Junya Ishigami + Associates)
Official website: Junya Ishigami + Associates

About house & restaurant maison owl
Maison owl is an invitation-only restaurant. Currently, reservations are accepted irregularly via the official Instagram.