Sushi Koji Restaurant by Ryuji Kojo and Toshihiro Obata

Sushi Koji Restaurant by Ryuji Kojo and Toshihiro Obata is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2024 A' Design Award de Bronze in Interior Competition Category.

BronzeInterior· 2024

Sushi Koji Restaurant

by Ryuji Kojo and Toshihiro Obata

Client: Sushi koji

A' Design Award de Bronze Winner in Interior Category

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The Design

About Sushi Koji Restaurant

Aqueste restaurant de sushi utiliza una abondància de materials naturals. Lo disseny es estat inspirat per la personalitat caloresa del proprietari e sa actitud d'artisan. Lo comptador es estat fabricat en bòsc de ginkgo e de padouk, talhat amb una lama personalizada e acabat lís fins als bòrds, e las chatas son estadas utilizadas per la planca de sushi. Las cadièras fabricadas en ciprès local son estadas concebidas per metre en valor lo grain del bòsc. Lo washi sus las parets es estat fabricat a partir de morier processat, e de motius organics son estats creats en vesant de Gofun sul papièr pendent lo procès de fabricacion del papièr. Aquestes elements crean una atmosfèra que pòt solament èsser ressentida aicí.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Bronze

Sushi Koji Restaurant a ganhat la distincion A' Design Award de Bronze, una reconeissença plan prestigiosa acordada a de designs excellents que se destrian per la creativitat, l'engenh e la finessa. Los ganhaires del Bronze son d'artefactes largament abils e sorprenentament creatius que provan la vasta experiéncia, l'imaginacion e l'engenhositat de lors designers. S'espèra que Sushi Koji Restaurant siá un objècte fòrça considerat, admirat e estimat, notablament professional e innovant. Aqueste design ganhaire de la distincion A' Design Award de Bronze integra las melhoras practicas de l'art, de la sciéncia, del design e de la tecnologia e es excellent per son atencion al detalh. Sushi Koji Restaurant satisfa esplendidament los besonhs, toca los desirs, encanta los sentiments e interèssa la curiositat.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: The sushi restaurant was designed using natural materials. There is only an 8-seat counter where guests can enjoy the sushi while watching the chef's work. The scrap ginkgo wood used for the countertop was utilized for the sushi board and cutting board. Chairs designed with the grain of the wood in mind, walls covered with original Washi, and signboards made of maple plates dyed by iron mordant not only reduce the waste of resources, but also create a healing effect with the use of solid wood.
Dimensions & Packaging: Floor space 24 m2
Tags: Interior, Restaurant, Sushi, Material, Japan, Fukuoka
Production Technology: Avoiding the use of industrial products as much as possible, original handmade Washi and solid wood were used as the main materials. Washi on the walls was made by processing mulberry, and organic patterns were created by pouring gofun (Japanese powdered pigment) during the papermaking process. The countertops were cut with a custom blade to smooth the edges, and the chairs made of local cypress were joined with double mortise and tenon to ensure high strength and durability.
Design Challenge: The challenge was to efficiently arrange the seats without making it feel cramped. We placed great importance on the design of "ma", a uniquely Japanese aesthetic that is expressed in Japanese architecture and art. The fan-shaped counters and ceiling design give the impression of spreading endlessly. On the walls with minimal decoration, a single-flower vase is placed, creating a relationship in which the flowers and the blank space enhance each other. People can feel more expansive than area.
Research: In working on the project, we considered "design as a brand". We extended the owner's worldview and spatial experience by directing a wide range of tools to communicate the store (brand), such as signage, business cards, and thank-you letters, using a space design approach and some of the materials used.
Inspiration: Client is a sushi chef who has worked at many famous restaurants. In designing a sushi restaurant that would open when he became independent, we were inspired by him. To embody his warm personality and his attitude as a craftsman who brings out the flavor of ingredients, we created a space that gently envelops guests with soft materials. The space, created while taking advantage of the original characteristics of materials, will grow in depth with time, fostering an atmosphere only felt here.
Project Duration: Completed in December 2022, Fukuoka city, Japan
Operation Flow: In order to create the maximum number of seats, the counter is designed fan-shaped. By doing this, creating a space around the entrance that separates it from the seating area, and also creating a gently changing scene in a space of only 24 m2. Guests pass through the door covered with cedar planks, change their minds at the entrance, and arrive at the seating area as if guided by the curved wall. They can enjoy sushi without worrying about the outside or the comings and goings of people.
Patents: Copyrights belong to STUDIO MOUN, 2023
Team Members: Creative Director : STUDIO MOUN
Architect : Ryuji Kojo + Toshihiro Obata / STUDIO MOUN
Constructor : Yasutsunegumi
Branding Director : Hanae Yoshizaki / H Branding Works
Graphic Designer : Natsuko Saka / TSUTO
Calligrapher : Mikiko Kayama
Lighting Designer : Ryohei Koyama / ModuleX
Washi : Kamisukishikoushitsu
Bespoke Chair : Wataru Sakai
Image Credits: Image #1-4 : Photographer Toshihisa Ishii / Blitz Studio
Image #5 : Photographer Airi Inoue