Oita Soho Toa Kai Hapanihi Hou-ao by Mika Kanayama

Oita Soho Toa Kai Hapanihi Hou-ao by Mika Kanayama is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2024 A' Design Award Hiriwa in Hoahoa Roto Whare me te Whakaaturanga Competition Category.

HiriwaRoto Whare· 2024

Oita Soho Toa Kai Hapanihi Hou-ao

by Mika Kanayama

Client: Muzo

A' Design Award Hiriwa Winner in Roto Whare Category

23,656

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #151700

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

Colors

The Design

About Oita Soho Toa Kai Hapanihi Hou-ao

I hoahoatia a Oita Soho hei hanga i tētahi wāhi tōmua, whakamarino me ngā āhuatanga Hapanihi, e kawe ana i ētahi o te tuakiri i whakatūria ki te toa kai tuatahi o Oita, he ngāwari, he matomato i ngā tipu puta noa. I whai te wāhi i te mea nui ake i ngā huarahi tikanga o te hoahoa Hapanihi hou-ao māmā kia tuku i tētahi wheako motuhake, whakamīharo, he whakakotahinga o ngā āhuatanga ātaahua me ngā āhuatanga ahurea. I whakaaweahia te mahi e te tuhinga a Tanizaki "In Praise of Shadows" e kōrero ana mō te whakamahinga, te tikanga me te ātaahua o te pōuri me ngā ātārangi i roto i te toi Hapanihi, te hoahoa me te hoahoanga whare.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Hiriwa

Ko Oita Soho Toa Kai Hapanihi Hou-ao te toa o te A' Design Award Hiriwa, he whakaaetanga tino whai mana e hoatu ana ki ngā hoahoa taumata teitei rawa, ātaahua me te whakamīharo. Ko ngā toa Hiriwa he mahi tino kanapa, tino auaha e whakaatu ana i te mātanga, te pūmanawa me te mōhio hōhonu o ā rātou kaihoahoa. E tūmanakohia ana ko Oita Soho Toa Kai Hapanihi Hou-ao he mahi whakamīharo, he tauira, he tino ngaio, he auaha hōhonu. Ko tēnei hoahoa i toa i te Hiriwa he hanganga rongonui, whakamīharotia e whai wāhi ana ki te whakawhānui i ngā rohe o te toi, te pūtaiao, te hoahoa me te hangarau. Ko Oita Soho Toa Kai Hapanihi Hou-ao he mahi e hae ana te tini, e whakaara ana i ngā hiahia, e kawe mai ana i ngā kare-ā-roto pai, ā, e whakaoho ana i te mīharo.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: It was designed to create a sophisticated, relaxing space with Japanese influences, and carrying some of the identity established in Oita's first restaurant, informal and verdant with plants throughout the space. The space required more than the conventional approaches of minimalistic modern Japanese design to deliver a distinct, remarkable experience that is a synthesis of aesthetic and cultural elements.

The space required more than the conventional approaches of minimalistic modern Japanese design, to deliver a distinct, remarkable experience that is a synthesis of aesthetic and cultural elements.Backlit paper parasols are placed overlapping in a flowing pattern that follows the stairs creating a feature wall to surprise and delight leading visitors to the upper level. The warm light of the parasols is accentuated in the dark. Lighting is careful and muted throughout relying on position and shades. Two mirrors placed parallel in opposite directions reflect the lights infinitely in their depths, adding to the glow and mystery of the space.
Dimensions & Packaging: The area of project is
Ground Floor - 67sqm
First Floor - 69sqm
Tags: Japanese restaurant design, muzo, Oita, interior design, restaurant design, Japanese design, chinatown
Production Technology: Grade II Listed Building
Material: Fire retardant timber & veneered oak MDF throughout.
Design Challenge: As it was a Grade II listed building, the history of the premises was researched in depth prior to work. Great consideration was given at design stage and fit-out work was carried out carefully. Any finishes that needed repairing was matched to the original finish.
Research: The space is abundant with plants and botanical imagery bringing a sense of exotic night garden or conservatory. Artworks by Imao Keinen featuring birds in seasonal settings with plants and flowers feature throughout, furthering the theme, Keinen’s masterful use of colours is utilised to play with the décor palette introducing flashes of bright colour that are echoed elsewhere, harmonising with the greenery and midnight shades to effect a unique, spectral contrast. The effect has almost the feeling of Japanese lacquerware artwork made real where living forms are presented luminously against the deep dark of lacquer surfaces.
Inspiration: The work was inspired by the Tanizaki essay 'In Praise of Shadows' which discusses the use, meaning and aesthetics of darkness and shadows in Japanese art, design and architecture.
Project Duration: The project was completed in January 2023 in London.
Operation Flow: Backlit paper parasols are placed overlapping in a flowing pattern that follows the stairs creating a feature wall to surprise and delight leading visitors to the upper level. The warm light of the parasols is accentuated in the dark.
Lighting is careful and muted throughout relying on position and shades.
Two mirrors placed parallel in opposite directions reflect the lights infinitely in their depths, adding to the glow and mystery of the space.
Patents: Copyrights belong to Muzo, 2023
Image Credits: Image #1: Photographer Sara Hibbert
Image #2: Photographer Sara Hibbert
Image #3: Photographer Sara Hibbert
Image #4: Photographer Sara Hibbert
Image #5: Photographer Sara Hibbert