Koga Park Café

The Koga Park Café includes many features that convey a sense of transparency and weightlessness. Immediately noticeable is the fact that this structure is not entirely enclosed with walls. Instead, many areas are left open to their surroundings, blurring the line between interior and exterior space and helping weave the structure with its environment. This feature also encourages a more free flow of people throughout the building. Meanwhile, where there are walls, they are made of glass, a material that is literally transparent. Additionally, the columns supporting the roof are incredibly thin and sleek and take up very little space. The lack of a solid, opaque barrier surrounding the interior enables the viewer to see straight through the building to the trees on the other side, making it appear light and transparent. This is intensified by the fact that the roof, furniture, and a few interior partitions are made of stainless steel, which reflects the building’s surroundings. Each of these design techniques help make the building a part of nature, which is fitting considering its location in a park. In fact, the design of the Koga Park Café was meant to parallel a forest shelter, with the columns resembling slender trees and the roof acting as a forest canopy. Having a building blend in with nature was also the objective in many examples of traditional Japanese architecture.