Moritomi Japanese Cuisine Japoniar Jatetxea by Tetsuya Matsumoto

Moritomi Japanese Cuisine Japoniar Jatetxea by Tetsuya Matsumoto is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 Zilarrezko Saria A' Design Award in Barruko Espazioa eta Erakusketa Diseinua Competition Category.

ZilarBarrualdea· 2020

Moritomi Japanese Cuisine Japoniar Jatetxea

by Tetsuya Matsumoto

Client: Moritomi

Zilarrezko Saria A' Design Award Winner in Barrualdea Category

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The Design

About Moritomi Japanese Cuisine Japoniar Jatetxea

Moritomi-ren lekualdatzeak, Japoniako sukaldaritza eskaintzen duen jatetxea, Himeji gazteluaren ondarearen ondoan, Himeji Castle-k materialtasunaren, formaren eta arkitektura tradizionalaren interpretazioaren arteko erlazioak aztertzen ditu. Gune berria gazteluko harrizko gotorlekuen eredua erreproduzitzen saiatzen da hainbat materialetan: harri zakarrak eta leunduak, oxido beltzez estalitako altzairuak eta tatami zerriak. Erretxina estalitako harri txikiz egindako solairuak gazteluko lubanarroa irudikatzen du. Bi kolore, zuria eta beltza, kanpotik ura bezala isurtzen dira, eta sarrerako atea apaindutako egurrezko sareta zeharkatzen dute, harrera aretora.

The Recognition

About the Zilarrezko Saria A' Design Award

Moritomi Japanese Cuisine Japoniar Jatetxea Zilarrezko Saria A' Design Award irabazlea da, goi-mailako, zoragarriak eta liluragarriak diren diseinuei ematen zaien ezohiko aitorpen prestijiotsua. Zilar-mailako irabazleak lan oso distiratsuak eta sormen biziko lanak dira, beren diseinatzaileen aditutasun, talentu eta zorroztasun nabarmenak erakusten dituztenak. Moritomi Japanese Cuisine Japoniar Jatetxea erakusleiho-lan zoragarria, nabarmenki profesionala eta sakonki berritzailea izatea espero da. Zilarrezko Saria A' Design Award irabazi duen diseinu hau asmakizun oso nabarmena eta miretsia da, onura ekartzen duena eta artearen, zientziaren, diseinuaren eta teknologiaren mugak zabaltzen dituena. Moritomi Japanese Cuisine Japoniar Jatetxea jende askok inbidia duen sorkuntza da, desirak pizten dituena, sentimendu positiboak ekartzen dituena eta harridura eta txunditzea pizten dituena.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Architecture as a practice is deeply related to materiality. But what if we substitute a material by another, in an attempt of keeping its spirit, or temperament?
Offering Japanese cuisine Since 1945, Moritomi is relocating close to the world heritage Himeji Castle. The design for its new space is inspired by the castle stone fortification base and reproduces similar patterns using three different materials: Rough and polished stone, Black oxide coated steel, and Japanese tatami mats.
Dimensions & Packaging: Gross Built Area: 330sqm
W23800mm x D11805mm x H6954mm
Tags: Japan, restaurant, material, interpretation, traditional, stone, steel, pattern, tatami, interior
Production Technology: The restaurant occupies parts of the first and second level of an already existing mixed-use building constructed using a concrete structure. The interior finishes come in different materials: Stone, Black Oxide Coated Steel, Platina sheets, Tatami Mats, wallpaper, vinyl floor tiles, dark mirrors, and an organic plaster-based material called Joly-pat and resembling traditional Japanese earth walls. This later includes tiny glass beads that sparkles while exposed to light.
Design Challenge: The biggest challenge was to find a common spirit of space using different and incoherent materials, but also applying materials outside of their traditional use to create a new atmosphere. Controlling these differences while guaranteeing the balance and keeping the identity of the space was one of the specificities of this space design. Furthermore, keeping the balance between the traditional spirit of the restaurant and the contemporary context added yet another complexity to the project.
Research: Stone is more than just a material, and stonework is more than just a craft. Architecture as a practice is deeply related to materiality and the spirit of its spaces is thoroughly defined by the materials in use. But what if we substitute a material by another, in an attempt of keeping its spirit, or temperament? The approach of space at Moritomi new location is a redefinition of the Japanese materiality and design lines inspired by the stonework at Himeji Castle base fortifications.
Inspiration: The design for Moritomi Japanese Cuisine new relocation was inspired mainly by its new Neighbor, the 16th century world heritage Himeji Castle. The stone fortifications of the castle were part of the old restaurant, however in a traditional way. The new space needed to step forward and pay tribute to this military masterpiece by imitating their patterns using different contemporary materials and methods. The moat at the fortifications feet also inspired the entrance floor finish.
Project Duration: Project start: October 2018.
Construction start: June 2019.
Project/Construction End: September 2019.

Location: Designed and constructed in Himeji City, Japan.
Operation Flow: The outside of the restaurant is clad in rough and polished stones resembling the Castle fortification and gravel floor reminding the mat water flow crosses the lattice entrance door inviting customers to do similarly. The first floor hosts some tables seating, three small rooms of 4 to 6 people, and a counter seating together with the kitchen. The second level includes a VIP room of 12 seats that can be divided into two rooms. and a larger banquet room that can be divided into four spaces.
Image Credits: Image #1: photographer ©Stirling Elmendorf, Moritomi, 2019.
Image #2: photographer ©Stirling Elmendorf, Moritomi, 2019.
Image #3: photographer ©Stirling Elmendorf, Moritomi, 2019.
Image #4: photographer ©Stirling Elmendorf, Moritomi, 2019.
Image #5: photographer ©Stirling Elmendorf, Moritomi, 2019.