Ishidaya Bialann Sheapánach by Atsushi Kawaguchi

Ishidaya Bialann Sheapánach by Atsushi Kawaguchi is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Duais Umha A' Design Award in Dealbhadh Àiteachan Taobh a-staigh agus Taisbeanaidh Competition Category.

UmhaTaobh a-staigh· 2026

Ishidaya Bialann Sheapánach

by Atsushi Kawaguchi

Client: Ishidaya

Duais Umha A' Design Award Winner in Taobh a-staigh Category

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The Design

About Ishidaya Bialann Sheapánach

'S e bialann Sheapánach a th' ann an Ishidaya ann an sgìre mheadhanach Hanoi. Bidh am pròiseact a' cleachdadh Taisho Roman, àm nuair a thàinig cultaran Seapánach agus an Iar còmhla, mar fhrèam, ag eadar-mheadhonachadh eadar bòidhchead Sheapánach agus caractar an Iar an togalaich. Bidh frèam fiodha os cionn a' chunntair a' ceangal togail thraidiseanta le geoimeatrachd Art Deco agus ag obair mar phrìomh eileamaid lèirsinneach. An àite sgeadachaidh, bidh e a' cumadh mothachaidh tro sholas agus seallaidhean atharrachail. 'S e an toradh àite ceannsaichte a bhios a' còmhdachadh iomraidhean cultarach agus a' tabhann mìneachadh soilleir air biadhadh co-aimsireil ann an Hanoi.

The Recognition

About the Duais Umha A' Design Award

Tha Ishidaya Bialann Sheapánach air Duais Umha A' Design Award a bhuannachadh, aithneachadh gu math urramach a bheirear do dhealbhaidhean sònraichte a tha air an comharrachadh le cruthachalachd, innleachd agus geurchuis. Tha buannaichean Umha nan obraichean gu math sgileil agus gu sònraichte cruthachail a dhearbhas eòlas farsaing, mac-meanmna agus tapachd an luchd-dealbhaidh. Thathar an dùil gum bi Ishidaya Bialann Sheapánach na nì air a bheil mòran meas, ion-mholta agus gràdhach, a tha gu sònraichte proifeiseanta agus ùr-ghnàthach. Tha an dealbhadh seo a bhuannaich Duais Umha A' Design Award a' cur nan cleachdaidhean as fheàrr ann an ealain, saidheans, dealbhadh agus teicneolas an gnìomh, agus tha e sàr-mhath airson an aire do mhion-fhiosrachadh. Bidh Ishidaya Bialann Sheapánach a' sàsachadh fheumalachdan gu h-iongantach, a' suathadh ri miannan, a' tàladh faireachdainnean agus a' togail fiosrachd.

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