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Taniroku Saka Cookie Shop: A "Sea of Clouds" Inspired Retail Space by Akitoshi Imafuku Wins Bronze A' Design Award 2025

Taniroku Saka, designed by Akitoshi Imafuku, has transformed the retail landscape in Osaka with its imaginative approach to customer engagement and spatial design. Located on the historic Mt. Sanada hill, the cookie shop draws inspiration from the lively street-side service of local greengrocers and fishmongers, encouraging staff to interact with customers outside the shop. This innovative sales style not only energizes the neighborhood but also fosters a welcoming, community-oriented atmosphere that sets Taniroku Saka apart from conventional retail spaces.

The shop's interior is designed around the concept of "a sea of clouds at the mountaintop," evoking the luxurious and refreshing experience of enjoying tea and sweets above the clouds. Despite the modest elevation of Mt. Sanada, the design team reimagined the hilltop as a serene, elevated retreat, offering customers a sense of escape and tranquility. The sales stands occupy the entire floor, minimizing staff aisles and maximizing the display of desserts, further enhancing the immersive, cloud-like ambiance.

This distinctive approach to retail has earned Taniroku Saka the Bronze A' Design Award in the Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design category for 2025. The award recognizes the shop's creative ingenuity, technical excellence, and its contribution to improving quality of life through thoughtful design. By blending local cultural elements with a unique spatial narrative, Taniroku Saka exemplifies how retail environments can be both functional and emotionally resonant, making a meaningful impact on the community and the wider design world.

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