2025.3
“PONTE”
New Space Reopens with Rammed Earth Design
PONTE, a store selling the glass works of Satoshi Sato, who creates blown glass in Yase, Kyoto, will reopen on Friday, March 21, 2025 after undergoing renovations designed by Shunya Hashizume of WATER AND ART, in celebration of its 10th anniversary.
The space, inspired by the sand dunes containing quartz, the main component of glass, is designed using rammed earth for the tables and all the earthen materials for the walls, including plastering.
Atsushi Torii from Atelier Kokonoma, specializing in sukiya architecture, oversaw the carpentry work, while Nakasu Plasterer, known for working on sukiya architecture, was responsible for the plastering. Additionally, the sliding door, crafted from Kyoto clay and used throughout the space, feature traditional Japanese paper, or karakami, which was created in collaboration between the karakami artisan, Koh Kado of Kamisoe, and the mounting specialist, Yukio Fujita of Fujita Gasodo.
Client: PONTE
Space planning: WATER AND ART
Construction: Takumi Koumuten
Plastering: Nakasu Plasterer
Karakami：Kamisoe
Mounting: Fujita Gasodo
Total floor area: 20.17 m2
Main structure: Wood
Address: 570-210 Gionmachi Minami, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City (across Kagizen Art Museum)
Business hours: 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM (Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Photo: nobutada omote