‘international technical chef college utsunomiya’ by emmanuelle moureaux architects, utsunomiya, japan images © daisuke shimokawa /nacasa & partners all images courtesy of emmanuelle moureaux architects

tokyo-based practice emmanuelle moureaux have recently finished the new international technical chef college in utsunomiya, japan, as part of the gakuin colleges of the northern kanto region. paralleling food, the culinary institution is intended to trigger and stimulate the five senses, primarily through the use of color. the multiple storeys are logically organized into four colors each comprised of five shades, while the entry floor displays the entire spectrum presented within the rest of the project.

representing pineapples, the yellow level holds the educational aspects of the college, including classrooms and the teachers’ offices. pink is reminiscent of the strawberry shortcake, housing the cake and bread-baking labs. green is analogous to the aroma of mint, representing the general cooking labs, and the blues provide cafe spaces. the ground level is a mixture of all the elements, a vibrant plate of activities and hues, containing colorful chairs like bread crumbs rhythmically leading towards the presentation room, where the combination of all gastronomical and architectural ingredients can be tasted within a space of walls of contrasting tones. students may flexibly use this as needed, in an entertaining and stimulating environment, perfect for sparking creativity in the world of food education. 

emmanuelle moureaux: technical chef college utsunomiya entrance patio image © daisuke shimokawa /nacasa & partners

emmanuelle moureaux: technical chef college utsunomiya entrance vestibule image © daisuke shimokawa /nacasa & partners

emmanuelle moureaux: technical chef college utsunomiya entrance lobby image © daisuke shimokawa /nacasa & partners

emmanuelle moureaux: technical chef college utsunomiya lobby image © daisuke shimokawa /nacasa & partners

emmanuelle moureaux: technical chef college utsunomiya hallway (2nd floor) image © daisuke shimokawa /nacasa & partners

emmanuelle moureaux: technical chef college utsunomiya classroom image © daisuke shimokawa /nacasa & partners

emmanuelle moureaux: technical chef college utsunomiya classroom image © daisuke shimokawa /nacasa & partners

emmanuelle moureaux: technical chef college utsunomiya lobby (3rd floor) image © daisuke shimokawa /nacasa & partners

emmanuelle moureaux: technical chef college utsunomiya hallway image © daisuke shimokawa /nacasa & partners

emmanuelle moureaux: technical chef college utsunomiya kitchen image © daisuke shimokawa /nacasa & partners

emmanuelle moureaux: technical chef college utsunomiya hallway (4th floor) image © daisuke shimokawa /nacasa & partners

emmanuelle moureaux: technical chef college utsunomiya kitchen image © daisuke shimokawa /nacasa & partners

emmanuelle moureaux: technical chef college utsunomiya lobby (5th floor) image © daisuke shimokawa /nacasa & partners

emmanuelle moureaux: technical chef college utsunomiya hallway image © daisuke shimokawa /nacasa & partners

emmanuelle moureaux: technical chef college utsunomiya classroom image © daisuke shimokawa /nacasa & partners

emmanuelle moureaux: technical chef college utsunomiya classroom image © daisuke shimokawa /nacasa & partners

emmanuelle moureaux: technical chef college utsunomiya classroom (5th floor) image © daisuke shimokawa /nacasa & partners

emmanuelle moureaux: technical chef college utsunomiya elevation