Kaiseki Den Hale ʻaina by Monique Lee is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2018 A' Design Award Keleawe in Hoʻolālā Loko Hale a me Hōʻike Competition Category.

KeleaweLoko Hale· 2018

Kaiseki Den Hale ʻaina

by Monique Lee

Client: Kaiseki Den by Saotome

A' Design Award Keleawe Winner in Loko Hale Category

15,580

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #61367

ʻIke I Kēia Manawa Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Kaiseki Den Hale ʻaina

Hoʻokele ʻo Kaiseki Den e Saotome, nā ʻano hana hoʻolālā like Wabi-says i ka maʻalahi, ka ʻano maka, ka ʻoluʻolu a me ke ʻano e hōʻike i ke ʻano o Zen ma hope o ka ʻai ʻana o Kaiseki. Kūkulu ʻia ʻo Shopfront me nā kiʻi lāʻau kūʻokoʻa maoli e hāʻawi ana i kahi hopena kiʻiʻakolu. ʻO nā keʻena komo komo a me nā lumi VIP me kā Karesansui Japanese mea e hoʻōla ai i ka noʻonoʻo o ka noho ʻana i kahi maluhia i kū ʻole ʻia e ka hustle a me ke kaʻe o ke kūlanakauhale. ʻO ka loko i loko o kahi papa maʻalahi maʻalahi me ka hoʻolālā liʻiliʻi. ʻO nā laina lāʻau i ʻoki ʻia a me ka pepa wagami translucent me ka hoʻomālamalama i ke kī ʻana i kahi manaʻo ākea.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Keleawe

Ua lanakila ka hoʻolālā Kaiseki Den Hale ʻaina i ka A' Design Award Keleawe, he ʻike hoʻohanohano nui loa i hāʻawi ʻia i nā hoʻolālā kūʻokoʻa i ʻike ʻia ma o ka hana noʻeau, ka akamai a me ka makakoho. He mau hana mākaukau a hana noʻeau kupaianaha nā lanakila Keleawe e hōʻoia ana i ka ʻike nui, ka noʻonoʻo a me ka maʻalea o kā lākou poʻe hoʻolālā. Manaʻo ʻia ʻo ka hoʻolālā Kaiseki Den Hale ʻaina he mea i mahalo nui ʻia, hoʻohiwahiwa ʻia a aloha ʻia, he ʻoihana a hou loa. ʻO kēia hoʻolālā i lanakila i ka A' Design Award Keleawe e hoʻohui ana i nā hana maikaʻi loa o ka hana noʻeau, ka ʻepekema, ka hoʻolālā a me ka ʻenehana, a maikaʻi no kona nānā ʻana i nā kikoʻī. Hoʻokō maikaʻi ka hoʻolālā Kaiseki Den Hale ʻaina i nā pono, hoʻopā i ka makemake, hoʻohiwahiwa i nā manaʻo a huki i ka makemake e ʻike.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Kaiseki Den, serves Kaiseki cuisine which is a tribute to transcendental meditation. The design employs simple shapes in a three-dimensional perspective for a modest and peaceful vibe. To bring out the concept of original state of nature associated with Kaiseki and its Zen philosophy, simple, soft sandy or earthy colours, natural materials, coarse marble floor are used. They are a visual pacifier to manifest a calm mind and customers are in a brief retreat from the busy city.
Dimensions & Packaging: The site area is 137.3 sq.m
Tags: Elegant, Simple, Natural, Environment Friendly, Peaceful, wabi-sabi
Production Technology: Sustainable natural materials closest to its raw texture are selected to present the original state of nature. Tailor-made natural composite wood strips with metal strip inserted manually for a sturdy structure for shop front were assembled on spot. Interior is decorated with coarse marble floor, bamboo bark wall paper, wood screen door and linen Noren. An energy saving LED lighting system is employed. Wagami light boxes conceal an adjustable LED lighting system. For best visual effects and easy maintenance, paper cover is in a door construction with hinges hidden at the top.
Design Challenge: The biggest challenge comes from its geographical complexity. Situated on a slope, it combines 2 units of irregular shapes on different horizontal levels and with different ceiling heights. Partial area sinks below ground level outside, blocking natural light source.
Its’ irregular shape posts a feeling of disorder. Reworking the drainage system compatible with an open kitchen design requires a full-scale construction of raising the floor for a unified level surface. A simple layout, minimum use of colours and decorations also post difficulty in creating a Japanese feeling.
Research: In order to create a comfortable and simple Japanese design, we chose Japanese garden as our design direction. We researched into Kyoto Jinfu Temple Karesansui - dry landscape through different books and internet. Understanding its representation of Wasbi-sabi and the Zen meaning behind the concept. We coordinate and employ these aesthetic concepts into our design to create a tranquil atmosphere.
Inspiration: Kaiseki refers to the warm pebble Buddhist monks put on their belly during Zen contemplation to soothe feeling of hunger, a divine tool to assist the pursuit of ultimate truth. The design uses Wabi-sabi Aesthetics elements like simplicity, asymmetry to simulate a natural environment. The Japanese Karesansui Landscape represents a static form. Images like static ripple lines as Running Water, Circles as Rock meaning Land are believed to manifest a calm mind and build a tranquil environment.
Project Duration: The project stated in Feb 2017 and finished in May 2017 in Hong Kong.
Located at Shop 3-4, G/F, The Oakhill, 28 Wood Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Operation Flow: Drainage system was re-laid to allow for an open kitchen and dining counter design. Diners can see chefs cook and talk with them. Floor of kitchen and main hall was raised for extra underground space to embed drainage pipes and to keep bar counter table on same level for diners and chefs chat comfortably. On the opposite is an open space with a sliding screen in translucent Wagami paper and wooden strips. When fully open, it becomes a spacious hall. When slided closed, it creates a Washitsu private room. This allows flexible and full use of space and light, and strengthens a Japanese vibe.
Patents: Copyrights belong to Monique Lee, 2017
Team Members: Design Director: Monique Lee
Designer: Thomas Chu
Image Credits: Image #1- Photographer Ray Chow, Kaiseki Den 2017
Image #2- Photographer Ray Chow, Kaiseki Den 2017
Image #3- Photographer Ray Chow, Kaiseki Den 2017
Image #4- Photographer Ray Chow, Kaiseki Den 2017
Image #5- Photographer Ray Chow, Kaiseki Den 2017