FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Yokohama Symphostage: Award-Winning Urban Complex Integrates Public Spaces, Sustainability, and City Life

Yokohama Symphostage, designed by Ryosuke Okawa and his team at Obayashi Corporation, has been recognized with the prestigious Silver A' Design Award in the Architecture, Building and Structure Design category for 2025. Located in the heart of Minato Mirai, Yokohama City, this 182,937-square-meter complex reimagines the relationship between urban infrastructure and public life. Completed in March 2024, the project brings together office spaces, a hotel, and retail facilities, all seamlessly connected to the city's pedestrian network and revitalized public plazas.

The design leverages the strengths of a multi-stakeholder consortium, with each business owner curating specialized programs that activate the site's organically organized, multi-layered plazas. These spaces foster community engagement, hosting vibrant events such as music performances by Yokohama City and Yamaha, and provide vital gathering points during both celebrations and emergencies. The project's unique approach reconnects previously fragmented pedestrian routes, creating a lively, accessible environment that encourages natural congregation and urban vitality.

Yokohama Symphostage stands out for its advanced use of environmental simulations and sustainable technologies. Wind, sunlight, and pedestrian flow analyses informed the layout and design of plazas and office exteriors, optimizing comfort and energy efficiency. Features such as large glass roofs, automated jalousie windows, and solar shading fins contribute to the building's achievement of top-tier certifications, including BELS 5-star, ZEB Ready, and CASBEE Yokohama S-rank. The project also incorporates innovative safety, acoustic, and evacuation planning, as well as 3D-printed public furniture, exemplifying a holistic approach to urban design that balances form, function, and environmental responsibility.

By integrating public amenities, sustainable architecture, and a dynamic pedestrian experience, Yokohama Symphostage sets a new benchmark for complex urban developments in Japan and beyond. Its recognition by the A' Design Award underscores the project's technical excellence, creative vision, and positive impact on the city's cultural and social landscape.

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