'Wagon Remodeling' by taichi hirata: Innovation in Food Van

Wagon Remodeling

Food Van for taichi hirata

The Japanese stone roasted sweet potato food wagon has long been an important presence in Japan's winters, bringing warmth and gently illuminating the town as night falls. It was reimagined through a contemporary design approach. In Kyoto, where the cityscape features a rhythm of horizontal and vertical elements like lattice windows, it was designed to integrate diagonal elements, adopted for structural reasons, in a way that complements Kyoto's streets as the ground and forms a figure within it.

taichi hirata 2025 Professional Silver Press Kit № 165779

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Download Press Kit № 165779 Food Van for taichi hirata by taichi hirata to access high-res images, essential texts, translations, and exclusive interviews—all in one.

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Wagon Remodeling by taichi hirata

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Food Van by taichi hirata

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taichi hirata Wagon Remodeling

Download 1800 Pixels JPEG Image.

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taichi hirata Food Van

Download 1800 Pixels JPEG Image.

Maximize the potential of this 1800-pixel image: at 300 DPI, it delivers exceptional detail up to 6 inches, while at 150 DPI, it offers clarity for prints up to 12 inches. Accredited press members can download high-res images free of watermarks. Alternatively, low-res images are instantly available. Image attributions can be found in the Image Credits Section.

Unique Properties

The Japanese stone roasted sweet potato food wagon has long been an important presence in Japan's winters, bringing warmth and gently illuminating the town as night falls. I reimagined it through a contemporary design approach. In Kyoto, where the cityscape features a rhythm of horizontal and vertical elements like lattices windows, I focused on integrating diagonal elements, adopted for structural reasons, in a way that complements Kyoto's streets as the "ground" and forms a "figure" within it.

Production Technology

Initially, the budget was limited, but as professionals in architecture and construction, we decided to adopt an architectural approach rather than a high-precision industrial one. The frame, serving as the main structure, was made with wooden framing by carpenters, and the surface was finished with FRP membranes by waterproofing and painting specialists. By treating it as an extension of our usual work, we maintained quality and reduced intermediate costs with trusted colleagues.

Project Duration

The project started in summer 2020 in Kyoto, with the first unit being developed, followed by the second unit in 2021 and the third unit in 2022 with minor updates. In 2023, the development of the fourth unit was carried out, incorporating the insights gained from the previous models

Inspiration

In Japan, during winter evenings, people with frozen hands from the cold buy warm roasted sweet potatoes, warming both their hands and hearts with the heat as they make their way home. It is a very familiar scene. When designing, I wanted to capture the nostalgia that resonates in the hearts of the Japanese. I aimed to express this warmth, like the soft orange light seen through a house's shoji screen, in office districts, in front of train stations, and in residential areas.

Image Credits

Image #1: ryo kotaka, unit1, 2020 Image #2: ryo kotaka, unit1, 2020 Image #3: taichi hirata, unit3, 2022 Image #4: taichi hirata, unit4, 2023 Image #5: taichi hirata, unit4, 2023

Project Overview

Wagon Remodeling Food Van has been a Silver winner in the Social Design award category in the year 2024 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Silver A' Design Award celebrates top-tier designs that embody excellence and innovation. This award acknowledges creations that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional, reflecting the designer's deep understanding and skill. Silver A' Design Award recipients are recognized for their contribution to raising industry standards and advancing the practice of design. Their work often incorporates original innovations and elicits a strong emotional response, making a notable impact on the improvement of everyday life.

Silver Recognition

taichi hirata was recognized with the coveted Silver A' Design Award in 2025, a testament to excellence of their work Wagon Remodeling Food Van.

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