The Strata Engawa installation by the London-based practice, Superficium Studio, emerges as a striking reinterpretation of the Japanese engawa. Created for the inaugural Digi Fab Award 2025, organized by KOKUYO and VUILD, this digitally fabricated construct reshapes traditional concepts into an engaging public space. This multilayered plywood structure invites you to sit, gather, and play on its contoured timber surfaces, reflecting a modern take on architectural and furniture scales.
The Engawa in traditional Japanese architecture serves as a bridge between home interiors and gardens. Superficium Studio translates that idea into an organic landscape of stepped surfaces. Instead of a literal reproduction, the result is a fluid timber topography that accommodates reclining, sitting, and collective interaction across its sprawling expanse.
Algorithmic Design Meets Craftsmanship
Employing algorithmic design, @superficium introduced adaptability and spatial innovation to the project. The design flexes to site-specific needs and fabrication logistics, embodying how digital methods can address complexity while ensuring constructability. Crafted from CNC-routed plywood, each component is precisely fabricated for modular assembly, maintaining consistency in material and form. This method not only supports unique customization but also ensures the material’s warm, tactile presence remains intact, reminiscent of natural geological strata.
Exhibitions and Recognition
The installation garnered the Grand Prize at the Digi Fab Award 2025 for bridging architectural and furniture design. After capturing attention at KOKUYO’s THE CAMPUS in Tokyo, Strata Engawa debuted at the Palazzo Mora during the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025. Here, its multifaceted contours offered both intimate nooks and expansive platforms, all crafted to enhance interaction at these renowned venues.
The Strata Engawa stands as a testament to the potential of digital fabrication techniques, reshaping public spaces through innovative design. Follow the project’s journey and more from Superficium Studio at @superficium, @kokuyo_official, and @vuild_architects. This seamless blend of tradition and technology invites you to experience a contemporary take on communal architecture.
Sources & Links
Source: designboom.com