Japan - Connected to the largest freshwater lake in Japan, Karahashi Deck in Otsu City is a multifunctional facility offering water sports, corporate training, education, and a glass-enclosed restaurant with a stunning view. Sitting on the banks of the Seta River, the new venue is operated by Biwako Rowing Club – an organisation that offers rowing classes to children with disabilities. The newly opened café and restaurant, La Cosso, offers a naturally serene environment, which is complemented by six 4020 installation loudspeakers from Genelec.
Alongside its water sports lessons and educational seminars, Karahashi Deck aims to provide employment support for people with disabilities, through work in the café, boat repairs and additional roles across the site. Genelec helped to provide a relaxing environment where people with and without disabilities can interact without boundaries. “La Cosso was designed to offer a space with a natural atmosphere so that everyone who visits automatically feels at ease,” begins Shuichi Sakata, manager of Biwako Rowing Club. “Sound within the space was an important factor in helping customers relax.
“Cafés are – of course – about eating, but I also think there's an element of enjoying the space and time you spend there. I think music plays a huge part in that. The music and the quality of the sound make a big difference to the atmosphere and the impression it leaves on our customers. We are very grateful that Genelec helped us to create a space like La Cosso.”
Biwako Rowing Club worked alongside Neighbor Food Co – who were the project consultants – on the design and implementation of the sound system inside La Cosso. It was Neighbor who suggested using Genelec, and the size, sound and design instantly impressed staff members. The loudspeakers are responsible for music distribution in the café, and they’re simple enough to operate so that staff can manage the audio system with ease.
The music source is typically a smartphone or tablet, connected via Bluetooth to a PreSonus StudioLive AR8c mixer. However, if a customer decides to bring in a Mac or PC for special events, a PreSonus AudioBox GO USB interface is then inserted between the computer and mixer.
The interior design of La Cosso was just as important as the sound. Located so close to Lake Biwa, the design reflects its natural surroundings with a wood grain finish that harmonises with the lake in front of it – highlighted by large windows looking out over the water. Genelec loudspeakers in RAW aluminium finish were chosen to match the natural feel of the café.
