Uds Ltd. Receives Gold A’ Design Award for Ryokan Ohana, a Heritage Hotel Conveying Authenticity
COMO, CO, ITALY, September 2, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The A’ Design Award has announced Ryokan Ohana by Uds Ltd. as a Gold winner in the Interior Space and Exhibition Design category. The A’ Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award is one of the highly respected international competitions dedicated to advancing excellence within the interior design industry. This recognition acknowledges the careful judgment of an expert jury panel and positions Ryokan Ohana among notable achievements in the field. Located within the nationally designated site of the Yanagawa Domain Lord Tachibana Residence, also known as Ohanaya, the project reflects a measured and thoughtful approach to heritage hospitality design. The Gold A’ Design Award marks a significant milestone for Uds Ltd. and the cultural narrative its work conveys.
The recognition of Ryokan Ohana holds relevance for the interior industry, particularly in the area of adaptive reuse of cultural heritage sites. As hospitality design increasingly values authenticity and regional identity, the project demonstrates how historical context can be preserved while meeting contemporary expectations. Ryokan Ohana aligns with growing industry interest in sustainable practice, longevity, and meaningful connection between guests and place. By incorporating local industries and traditional crafts, the design offers practical value to both the regional economy and the broader community. The project illustrates how interior design can serve as a vehicle for cultural continuity and economic contribution.
Ryokan Ohana, the Shotokan accommodation building, is grounded in the concept of conveying authenticity by removing decorative elements so that genuine historical features stand out. The entrance welcomes guests into a special setting while blending with the neighbouring cultural site, and the lobby opens onto the restored historic Imperial Garden courtyard with its symbolic arrangement of stones. Guest rooms are arranged to frame views of the gardens and the residence beyond, enhancing the experience of staying within a cultural heritage site. Three of the eight guest room types have been reconstructed while preserving original features including floor pillars, lintels, thresholds, and ceiling materials. The interiors incorporate Yame lanterns, Yame stone, rush-grass tatami mats, and black plaster, evoking warmth within the dignified ambience of a samurai residence.
This recognition reinforces the direction of Uds Ltd. toward designs that extend a building’s lifespan, enhance its value, and connect historical context to the next hundred years. The Gold A’ Design Award serves as motivation for the studio to continue exploring approaches that balance heritage preservation with contemporary hospitality. The project may inspire future work that further integrates local artisans and traditional crafts, helping spread the appeal of regional towns more widely. Such recognition encourages continued innovation in culturally rooted interior design.
Project Members
Ryokan Ohana was produced by Yusaku Takahashi, Mao Sawada, and Suzuka Kawakami of UDS Ltd., who guided the planning and direction of the project. The interior design was developed by Tetsuya Akaiwa and Ayaka Sato of UDS Ltd., who shaped the spatial composition and material selection that define the experience.
Interested parties may learn more about Ryokan Ohana, view its features, and discover more about its designers at the dedicated page on the A’ Design Award website.
https://competition.adesignaward.com/ada-winner-design.php?ID=181887
About Uds Ltd.
UDS is a design firm dedicated to creating sustainable, lively urban spaces by pursuing an optimum balance of social responsibility and business profitability. The firm is a one-stop provider of business planning, architectural design, and commercial operation services, all under one roof. Whatever the use or function, every space it creates is unique to the community it serves, achieved by integrating all aspects of the physical environment. Uds Ltd. is based in Japan.
About the Gold A’ Design Award Recognition
The Gold A’ Design Award is granted to designs that demonstrate a notable level of innovation and a meaningful impact on their intended audience. Within the Interior Space and Exhibition Design category, evaluations consider criteria such as innovative use of space, material selection, functional layout, lighting design, sustainable practice, cultural relevance, aesthetic appeal, and attention to detail. Designs recognized at this level reflect considerable skill and a thoughtful approach from their creators. The recognition serves as a benchmark for quality, encouraging further innovation and informing standards within the design community. It highlights works that combine strong technical attributes with creative and cultural value.
About A’ Design Award
The A’ Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award is a highly respected competition that promotes excellence and innovation within the interior design industry. It welcomes a diverse range of participants, including interior design agencies, innovative companies, furniture manufacturers, and established brands, offering an opportunity to demonstrate creativity and gain international recognition. Entries are blind peer-reviewed and assessed against pre-established evaluation criteria by a world-class jury panel of design professionals, industry experts, academics, and journalists. Organized since 2008 and now in its 18th year, the A’ Design Award is an international and juried design competition held across all industries and open to entries from all countries, driven by a philanthropic mission to recognize and promote superior designs that benefit society and help create a better world. Interested parties may learn more about the A’ Design Award, explore the jury, view past laureates, and take part with their projects at the following url: https://worldinteriordesignawards.com
Makpal Bayetova
A’ DESIGN AWARD & COMPETITION SRL
+39 031 497 2900
email us here
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