SAWATAYA

Architecture

This confectionary store is located in Kofu, Japan, which is famous for Kurodama (black balls), a Japanese confectionery of green peas paste covered with sweet bean jam. In an attempt to control the focus within the space at an early stage, the designers laid out panels so that the walls would overlap and gave specific roles to each small area. They made it a continuous space like a Japanese house with its fixtures removed. The plain unvarnished woods used as the material for each panel and wall were dyed in five different shades. The glowing exterior emphasizes the hybrid traditionality and modernity of this building.