Oita Soho Modern Japans Restaurant by Mika Kanayama

Oita Soho Modern Japans Restaurant by Mika Kanayama is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2024 A' Design Award in Zilver in Interieur en Tentoonstellingsontwerp Competition Category.

ZilverInterieur· 2024

Oita Soho Modern Japans Restaurant

by Mika Kanayama

Client: Muzo

A' Design Award in Zilver Winner in Interieur Category

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Colors

The Design

About Oita Soho Modern Japans Restaurant

Oita Soho werd ontworpen om een verfijnde, ontspannende ruimte te creëren met Japanse invloeden en draagt een deel van de identiteit die in Oita's eerste restaurant werd gevestigd: informeel en weelderig groen met overal planten. De ruimte vereiste meer dan de conventionele benaderingen van minimalistisch modern Japans design om een onderscheidende, opmerkelijke ervaring te bieden die een synthese is van esthetische en culturele elementen. Het werk werd geïnspireerd door het essay van Tanizaki 'Lof der Schaduwen', waarin het gebruik, de betekenis en de esthetiek van duisternis en schaduwen in Japanse kunst, design en architectuur worden besproken.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award in Zilver

Oita Soho Modern Japans Restaurant is winnaar van de A' Design Award in Zilver, een buitengewoon prestigieuze erkenning die wordt toegekend aan topontwerpen die prachtig en indrukwekkend zijn. Winnaars in Zilver zijn enorm briljante en uiterst creatieve werken die de uitmuntende expertise, het talent en de scherpzinnigheid van hun ontwerpers illustreren. Oita Soho Modern Japans Restaurant wordt verwacht een prachtig paradepaardje te zijn dat opmerkelijk professioneel en diepgaand innovatief is. Dit ontwerp dat de A' Design Award in Zilver heeft gewonnen, is een hoogst opmerkelijke, bewonderde uitvinding die baat en de grenzen van kunst, wetenschap, ontwerp en technologie verlegt. Oita Soho Modern Japans Restaurant is een zeer benijde creatie die verlangens oproept, positieve gevoelens brengt en verbazing en verwondering doet ontvlammen.

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