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Moritomi Japanese Cuisine Restoran Japonè by Tetsuya Matsumoto

Moritomi Japanese Cuisine Restoran Japonè by Tetsuya Matsumoto is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 A' Design Award Ajan in Enteryè Competition Category.


AjanEnteryè· 2020

Moritomi Japanese Cuisine Restoran Japonè

by Tetsuya Matsumoto

Client: Moritomi

A' Design Award Ajan Winner in Enteryè Category

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The Design

About Moritomi Japanese Cuisine Restoran Japonè

Demenajman Moritomi, yon restoran ki ofri cuisine Japonè, akote eritaj lemonn Castle Himeji eksplore relasyon ant enpòtans, fòm ak entèpretasyon achitekti tradisyonèl yo. Nouvo espas la ap eseye repwodui chato wòch wòch modèl la nan materyèl divès kalite ki gen ladan wòch ki graj ak poli, asye nwa kouch kouvwi, ak tatami tapi. Yon etaj ki fèt nan ti gravye kouvwi résine reprezante fò a chato. De koulè, blan ak nwa, ap koule tankou dlo soti nan deyò, ak travèse an bwa lasi dekore pòt la antre, nan sal la resepsyon.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Ajan

Moritomi Japanese Cuisine Restoran Japonè se yon ganyan A' Design Award Ajan, yon rekonesans ki gen yon prestij enmans yo bay design nivo siperyè, bèl anpil e enpresyonan. Ganyan Ajan yo se travay ki trè briyan e ki trè kreyatif ki montre ekspètiz, talan ak finès designer yo. Yo atann Moritomi Japanese Cuisine Restoran Japonè pou se yon bèl travay modèl, remakab nan pwofesyonalis e ki gen gwo inovasyon. Design sa a ki ganyen A' Design Award Ajan se yon envansyon trè remakab, admire ki pote benefis e ki pouse limit atizay, syans, design ak teknoloji. Moritomi Japanese Cuisine Restoran Japonè se yon kreyasyon anpil moun jalou ki reveye dezi, ki pote santiman pozitif e ki limen sipriz ak mèvèy.

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.

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