Urban Banyan
Urban Banyan is the interior design of a bakery cafe in Naha City, Okinawa. The space centres on a sculptural banyan tree measuring 6000 mm wide and 3600 mm high. The sculpture combines lath boards, mortar and artistic plaster, while lightweight 3D-printed resin forms the branches and meets fire safety rules. Exterior signage was not permitted, so the 14.5 metre glass front carries 3 mm acrylic panels printed with semi-transparent leaves. Backlighting turns the storefront into a warm lantern at night.
Urban Banyan Bakery Cafe by Shinjiro Heshiki has been selected as an exceptional example of architectural design by the A' Design Awards. Urban Banyan Bakery Cafe received the Bronze A' Design Award in Interior Space and Exhibition Design in 2026. The A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award is an international, meritocratic, just and fair design recognition program which celebrates excellent design of residential interiors, restaurants, hotels, offices, galleries, retail stores, showrooms, exhibition spaces and more.
