bright orange fabric panels fan out above university’s terraced amphitheater in japan

the maypole-inspired design suspends ribbons from the building, integrating shade with airflow and natural light.

Juliana Gomez edited by christina vergopoulou January 24, 2025 4 min

Hiyoshi Ribbon Terrace shades Campus sunken amphitheater

Hiyoshi Ribbon Terrace is a temporary shading structure designed to enhance the usability of a sunken amphitheater with terraced seating on Keio University’s Hiyoshi Campus in Yokohama. Located adjacent to a student cafeteria, the amphitheater previously saw limited use due to its exposure to intense sunlight. The project designed by Jorge Almazán and Keio University StudioLab introduces fabric shading to create a comfortable outdoor space for relaxation and interaction.

Taking advantage of the amphitheater’s shape, the design features ribbon-like fabric panels suspended from the university building, creating a maypole-like arrangement. These ribbons provide shade for the terraced seats while allowing airflow and natural light to pass through. The bright orange fabric contrasts with the surrounding greenery and adds vibrancy to the concrete courtyard. The structural design enables the ribbons to be easily removed or adjusted. Bolts at the upper fittings allow angle modifications, while lower metal fittings permit quick detachment. This flexibility ensures the structure can be dismantled during long vacations or typhoon seasons.

bright orange fabric panels fan out above university's terraced amphitheater in japan - 1 — all images courtesy of Jorge Almazán and Keio University StudioLab

Hiyoshi Ribbon Terrace serves as a Social shaded Outdoor Space

Completed in November 2023, the shaded terrace designed by architects at Jorge Almazán and Keio University StudioLab quickly became a popular gathering space for students. Observational studies and cafeteria usage trends from April to July revealed a 1.5 to 2-fold increase in visitors compared to the same period before the project’s implementation. Students utilized the shaded space for dining and leisure, with some spending short breaks while others remained for extended periods.

Thermographic measurements taken in July indicated that shaded bench surfaces were approximately 20°C cooler than those exposed to direct sunlight, highlighting the effectiveness of the fabric shading. By introducing a detachable, easily installed shading system capable of covering a large area, the Hiyoshi Ribbon Terrace demonstrates a practical approach to enhancing the usability of outdoor spaces in educational settings.

bright orange fabric panels fan out above university's terraced amphitheater in japan - 2 — the shading structure enhances a sunken amphitheater at Keio University’s Hiyoshi Campus

bright orange fabric panels fan out above university's terraced amphitheater in japan - 3 — ribbon-like fabric panels create shaded seating areas, making the amphitheater more usable for students

hiyoshi-ribbon-terrace-jorge-almazan-keio-university-studiolab-designboom-1800-2 — the bright orange fabric provides a striking contrast to the greenery surrounding the courtyard

bright orange fabric panels fan out above university's terraced amphitheater in japan - 4 — the maypole-inspired design suspends ribbons from the building, integrating shade with airflow and natural light

bright orange fabric panels fan out above university's terraced amphitheater in japan - 5 — terraced seating benefits from the shaded environment, perfect for dining or taking a break

bright orange fabric panels fan out above university's terraced amphitheater in japan - 6 — the ribbon-like shading system enhances comfort while maintaining visual openness

hiyoshi-ribbon-terrace-jorge-almazan-keio-university-studiolab-designboom-1800-3 — the vibrant orange ribbons bring energy and color to the concrete campus courtyard

bright orange fabric panels fan out above university's terraced amphitheater in japan - 7 — the structural system allows the ribbons to be easily removed or adjusted for seasonal needs

construction detail construction detail site plan plan section thermal and shading performance

project info:

name: Hiyoshi Ribbon Terrace
architects: Jorge Almazán + Keio University Studiolab | @keiostudiolab

design team: Jorge Almazán, Shunsuke Shimizu, Amata Tanahashi, Fumika Okuno, Madoka Tadano, Alberto Braiotta, Juliana Gomez Yagual, Francesco Brusiani, Lorenzo Conti

location: Keio University Hiyoshi Campus, Yokohama, Japan

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