Ishidaya Fonction principale : Restaurant japonais by Atsushi Kawaguchi

Ishidaya Fonction principale : Restaurant japonais by Atsushi Kawaguchi is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award de Bronze in Design d'Intérieur Competition Category.

BronzeIntérieur· 2026

Ishidaya Fonction principale : Restaurant japonais

by Atsushi Kawaguchi

Client: Ishidaya

A' Design Award de Bronze Winner in Intérieur Category

6,467

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #180958

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Ishidaya Fonction principale : Restaurant japonais

Texte du livre : Ishidaya est un restaurant japonais situé dans le quartier central de Hanoï. Le projet s'inspire du Taishō Roman, une époque marquée par la rencontre des cultures japonaise et occidentale, comme cadre conceptuel, établissant un dialogue entre l'esthétique japonaise et le caractère occidental du bâtiment. Une structure en bois au-dessus du comptoir associe la construction traditionnelle à la géométrie Art déco et constitue un élément visuel majeur. Loin d'être un simple ornement, elle façonne la perception à travers la lumière et les changements de point de vue. Il en résulte un espace sobre qui superpose les références culturelles et propose une interprétation claire de la gastronomie contemporaine à Hanoï.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Bronze

Ishidaya Fonction principale : Restaurant japonais est lauréat de l'A' Design Award de Bronze, une reconnaissance hautement prestigieuse décernée à des designs remarquables qui se distinguent par leur créativité, leur ingéniosité et leur sagacité. Les lauréats Bronze sont des artefacts amplement habiles et d'une créativité frappante, qui authentifient la vaste expérience, l'imagination et l'ingéniosité de leurs concepteurs. Ishidaya Fonction principale : Restaurant japonais est censé être un objet très estimé, admiré et chéri, remarquablement professionnel et innovant. Ce design lauréat de l'A' Design Award de Bronze intègre les meilleures pratiques de l'art, de la science, du design et de la technologie, et est excellent par son souci du détail. Ishidaya Fonction principale : Restaurant japonais satisfait admirablement les besoins, touche les désirs, charme les sentiments et attire la curiosité.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: This design is a spatial centerpiece that quietly responds to people rather than technology. Its form never moves, yet it feels different from every position, shaped by light, shadow, and human presence. Unlike decorative elements that are simply observed, this design creates a subtle dialogue with its surroundings, offering depth, calm, and a lasting sense of place through simplicity and restraint.
Dimensions & Packaging: Renovation of existing buildings
Tags: Timeless atmosphere, Changing perception, Sense of depth, Quiet interaction
Production Technology: The design process began not with form, but with experience. We first observed how people move, pause, and look within the space. Instead of adding complexity, simple elements were repeated and layered so perception changes as people move. The design does not rely on mechanisms or instructions; human presence itself creates variation. This approach results in a calm, durable, and lasting spatial experience.
Design Challenge: In designing ISHIDAYA we faced challenges from both cultural context and practical limits. The building showed Western decorative traces while the space required a Japanese aesthetic. To connect these influences we adopted the idea of Taisho Roman, a period when East and West blended naturally. This concept guided choices in materials colors light and space. Through close work with craftsmen and repeated testing the design was refined into a space that respects cultural roots and feels natural to use.
Research: For ISHIDAYA the research began by understanding the building and its use. The structure showed traces of Western decoration, while the design required a Japanese sensibility. To connect these elements we studied moments in history when East and West blended naturally. This led to Taisho Roman, which guided choices in materials colors and mood, creating a space that feels unified clear and suited to present day Hanoi.
Inspiration: ISHIDAYA is a Japanese restaurant located in the center of Hanoi. Inspired by Taisho Roman, a period when Japanese and Western cultures intersected, the design harmonizes Japanese aesthetics with the building’s original Western character. A sculptural wooden framework above the counter combines traditional Japanese construction with Art Deco geometry, creating a refined space where dining, drinking, and cultural storytelling come together in contemporary Hanoi.
Project Duration: The project started in August 2024 in Hanoi and finished in April 2025.
Operation Flow: Hanged wood frame is not something you press or control.
It responds simply to people being there. As you walk, sit, or look up, its shape feels different. From one angle it looks calm, from another it feels complex, and from below it seems to float.
Nothing actually moves, but your position changes how it appears. Light and shadow shift naturally, creating a quiet interaction. Because it relies on people, not machines, it stays simple, stable, and always engaging.
Image Credits: All photos / HIROYUKI OKI