Grand Gate Hiroshima by Keiichi Ito and Ryo Okada - Uds Ltd. Wins Gold A' Design Award

A' Design Award Recognizes Grand Gate Hiroshima Food Hall for Excellence in Interior Space and Exhibition Design

COMO, CO, ITALY, September 11, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The A' Design Award has announced Grand Gate Hiroshima, a restaurant and food hall designed by Keiichi Ito and Ryo Okada of UDS Ltd., as a Gold winner in the Interior Space and Exhibition Design category. The A' Design Award is one of the world's most respected and well-recognized competitions in the field of interior design, drawing entries from designers and studios across many nations. This recognition acknowledges the careful planning, cultural sensitivity, and design excellence demonstrated within the Grand Gate Hiroshima project. The Gold A' Design Award distinction is granted following a rigorous evaluation by an expert jury panel. For Keiichi Ito and Ryo Okada, this honor reflects a meaningful contribution to the interior design discipline and to the city of Hiroshima.

The recognition of Grand Gate Hiroshima holds significance for the wider interior design community and for the customers who experience the space. Located in direct connection with Hiroshima station through pedestrian walkways, the food hall responds to a growing demand for dining environments that combine culinary variety with thoughtful spatial storytelling. The project aligns with current trends that prioritize open concepts, locally inspired materials, and immersive guest experiences. By integrating fine dining, an evolving operational style, and an enhanced atmosphere that includes a DJ booth, the design demonstrates practical value for operators and visitors alike. The work illustrates how interior design can strengthen the identity of a place while serving the everyday needs of a community.

Grand Gate Hiroshima consists of six stores spread across 660 square meters, organized into seven areas under an open concept. The spatial layout draws inspiration from the Ota River delta that has historically shaped the cityscape of Hiroshima, guiding customers toward the retail zones much like the natural flow of the river. Each shop carries a distinct character, yet the whole space achieves a unified harmony that mirrors the city itself. Material selections reflect the essence of Hiroshima, including terrazzo countertops at the bakery that recall pebbles of mountain creeks, resin in the craft beer store that evokes the shimmer of rivers and sea, and shell details in the chef's table counter that express the region's nature. These considered choices give the food hall a unique sense of place.

The Gold A' Design Award recognition offers Keiichi Ito and Ryo Okada renewed motivation to pursue thoughtful, culturally grounded design in future projects. The honor may encourage further exploration of how local heritage, materials, and spatial narratives can be woven into commercial environments. For UDS Ltd., the achievement reinforces a commitment to creating spaces that balance social responsibility with business value. This recognition serves as an inspiring milestone for the studio's team to continue developing innovative and community-centered work.

Team Members
Grand Gate Hiroshima was designed by Keiichi Ito and Ryo Okada of UDS Ltd., who together led the concept development, spatial planning, and material direction of the food hall to reflect the identity of Hiroshima.

Interested parties may learn more about Grand Gate Hiroshima, view the design in detail, and discover more about its designers at the dedicated page provided by the A' Design Award. Additional information about the project and its creators is available through neutral channels as well.
https://competition.adesignaward.com/ada-winner-design.php?ID=174562

About Keiichi Ito and Ryo Okada - Uds Ltd.
UDS Ltd. is a design firm based in Japan dedicated to creating sustainable, lively urban spaces by pursuing an optimum balance of social responsibility and business profitability. The firm serves as a one-stop provider of business planning, architectural design, and commercial operation services under one roof. Every space the firm creates is tailored to the community it serves, achieved by integrating all aspects of the physical environment. Keiichi Ito and Ryo Okada contributed their design expertise to bring Grand Gate Hiroshima to realization.

About UDS Ltd.
UDS Ltd. is a design firm dedicated to creating sustainable, fun, and lively urban spaces by pursuing an optimum balance of social responsibility and business profitability. The firm operates as a one-stop provider of business planning, architectural design, and commercial operation services, all under one roof. Whatever the use or function, every space the firm creates is unique to the community it serves, achieved by integrating all aspects of the physical environment. This integrated approach guides the firm's contributions to commercial and public spaces.

About the Gold A' Design Award Recognition
The Gold A' Design Award is granted to designs that demonstrate notable innovation and a meaningful impact on their intended audience. Recognized as a significant achievement by the A' Design Award, these designs reflect a considered approach and the skill of their creators. Within the Interior Space and Exhibition Design category, entries are evaluated against criteria including innovative use of space, material selection, functional layout, color scheme, lighting design, sustainable practice, cultural relevance, aesthetic appeal, ergonomic consideration, and attention to detail. Additional criteria address budget management, client satisfaction, accessibility compliance, space optimization, safety, and adaptability of design. Designs recognized at this level serve as reference points for excellence and encourage further innovation among designers.

About A' Design Award
The A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award is a highly respected competition that promotes excellence and innovation within the interior design industry. It welcomes a diverse range of participants, including independent designers, leading interior design agencies, innovative companies, furniture manufacturers, and established brands. Entries are blind peer-reviewed and assessed against pre-established evaluation criteria by a world class jury panel of design professionals, industry experts, journalists, and academics. The ultimate aim of the A' Design Award is to recognize and promote superior projects that advance and benefit society, driven by a philanthropic mission to enhance the world through the power of good design. Organized since 2008 and now in its 18th year, the A' Design Award is an international and juried competition open to entries from all countries and all industries. Interested parties may learn more about the A' Design Award, explore the jury members, view past laureates, and submit their projects at the following url: https://interiordesignsawards.com

Makpal Bayetova
A' DESIGN AWARD & COMPETITION SRL
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