Winner: Workplace project (small) of the year 2025. Wataru Architects has redesigned and renovated the Kitaoka Group Head Office Building in Mima City, Japan.

Kitaoka Group decided to renovate its headquarters to "create the next trend in Japan from the countryside, aiming to integrate work styles with culture, nature and local communities," said Wataru Architects.

"The concept [was] Yoshinogawa Valley, which is inspired by the Yoshino River, the source of Tokushima's nature, culture and industry."

As a result, the existing building is divided into two long and narrow buildings, much like a valley on an axis parallel to the Yoshino River from the entrance.

In addition, light from a 50-metre skylight pours into the first floor, meaning no artificial lighting is required during the day.

Judge comments: "This is a perfect example of how an extremely ordinary building can be retained and entirely transformed through simple and clear interventions. The space was entirely transformed into a light-filled, modern workspace."

Studio: Wataru Architects
Project: Kitaoka Group Head Office Building Renovation
Credits: Wataru Architects Wataru Sato, Atushi Fujita, Kitaoka Group, Hokuto Sekkei Corp Tomoya Hosokawa, Sei Building Services Design Seiji Yamada, Syu Yukari Manabe, En Landscape Design Daisuke Nakayama, Polyuse Wataru Ooka, Kazuki Koike, Taiga Kawase, Panasonic Corporation Mizuki Sasa and Keita Yamamoto