A Space to Unite and Inspire

With the concept, “The materials for confectionery are a blessing from nature, and creating a place where people can gather to love and learn from nature,” the La Collina Omi Hachiman project (collina means “hill” in Italian) is taking shape on the expansive grounds of the Taneya Group headquarters near Mt. Hachiman in Shiga. This multifaceted complex goes beyond selling sweets; it features a main shop offering Japanese and Western confections, a specialty Castella cake shop, a café, and a food court. Additionally, the site includes facilities for raising seedlings, cultivating fields, regenerating forests, and hosting various workshops. At the heart of the project is the head office building, distinguished by its iconic copper roof and designed by Terunobu Fujimori. We were responsible for the interior office design, ensuring it reflected the Taneya Group’s philosophy: “Ideas don’t come from sitting in silence.” The office was designed as a flexible, creative space where staff can work wherever inspiration strikes, fostering an atmosphere of innovation. Through a narrow, 40 cm-wide door from the entrance hall, visitors step into a large open space measuring 53 meters by 24 meters, with a maximum ceiling height of 5.5 meters under a gabled roof. At the center of the space, a steel-framed tower subtly divides the area into two large sections, creating a gradual division of space. The design emphasizes the use of natural materials to evoke the stories they carry. The arrangement of these materials is intentionally irregular, prioritizing contrast over harmony to craft a dynamic and expressive environment. This space sparks curiosity and encourages introspection, serving as an experimental studio where ideas flourish and a sense of continuous creation and exploration thrives.