Moritomi Japanese Cuisine Le Restaurant Japonais by Tetsuya Matsumoto

Moritomi Japanese Cuisine Le Restaurant Japonais by Tetsuya Matsumoto is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 A' Design Award d'Argent in Design d'Intérieur Competition Category.

ArgentIntérieur· 2020

Moritomi Japanese Cuisine Le Restaurant Japonais

by Tetsuya Matsumoto

Client: Moritomi

A' Design Award d'Argent Winner in Intérieur Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #99235

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The Design

About Moritomi Japanese Cuisine Le Restaurant Japonais

Le déménagement de Moritomi, un restaurant proposant une cuisine japonaise, à côté du château de Himeji, classé au patrimoine mondial, explore les relations entre la matérialité, la forme et l'interprétation architectonique traditionnelle. Le nouvel espace tente de reproduire le motif des fortifications en pierre du château dans divers matériaux, notamment des pierres brutes et polies, de l'acier recouvert d'oxyde noir et des tatamis. Un sol en petits graviers enduits de résine représente le fossé du château. Deux couleurs, blanc et noir, coulent comme de l'eau de l'extérieur, et traversent la porte d'entrée décorée de treillis de bois, vers la salle de réception.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award d'Argent

Moritomi Japanese Cuisine Le Restaurant Japonais est lauréat de l'A' Design Award d'Argent, une reconnaissance énormément prestigieuse décernée à des designs haut de gamme, superbes et impressionnants. Les lauréats Argent sont des œuvres tout à fait brillantes et extrêmement créatives qui illustrent l'expertise, le talent et la perspicacité remarquables de leurs concepteurs. Moritomi Japanese Cuisine Le Restaurant Japonais est censé être une œuvre merveilleuse, une vitrine de savoir-faire, remarquablement professionnelle et profondément innovante. Ce design lauréat de l'A' Design Award d'Argent est une invention très notable et admirée, qui sert l'art, la science, le design et la technologie et en repousse les limites. Moritomi Japanese Cuisine Le Restaurant Japonais est une création très enviée qui éveille les désirs, apporte des sentiments positifs et suscite émerveillement et étonnement.

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.