Takumi Mikhuna Wasi Ukhu by Yu Ting Liu and Ling Ling Xiao - NI Space Design

Takumi Mikhuna Wasi Ukhu by Yu Ting Liu and Ling Ling Xiao - NI Space Design is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award Qullqi Premiu in Ukupi Kamay Competition Category.

QullqiUkupi· 2025

Takumi Mikhuna Wasi Ukhu

by Yu Ting Liu and Ling Ling Xiao - NI Space Design

Client: NI Space Design

A' Design Award Qullqi Premiu Winner in Ukupi Category

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Verified Award Winner
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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Takumi Mikhuna Wasi Ukhu

Takumi nisqa mikhuna wasi ukhuqa robatayaki nisqa Japonpa mikhuna kankay yachaynin muyuriqpi ruwasqa, chaypi mikhunata kicharisqa tawa k'uchuyuq kankana patapi kankakun. Wasi ukhup churakuyninqa teatro hina wakichisqa kachkan. Muyu siq'ikuna hanaq pata techokunapiwan chay pachata sayarichinku, chantapis mana kikin patapi churasqa tiyanakunaqa sapa watukuqman cocinero mesanta sut'ita qhawayta qunku. Metal llika, mosaico tejakuna, qhispi ladrillokuna terrazo pampapiwan sut'i kaytawan ukhu kaytawan yapanku. Anaranjado-puka llimp'ikunaqa ninap q'uñiyninta yuyarichinku, uqi llimp'ikunataq wakichiyta chiqanchanku. Chawpi kicharisqa mikhuna k'uchukunaqa sapan wasichakunapiwan sapallankupi kayta allinchanku. Kay wasiqa 264.4 metro cuadrado hatun kayniyuqmi.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Qullqi Premiu

Takumi Mikhuna Wasi Ukhu A' Design Award Qullqi Premiu mishak kan, ancha jatun yupaychay, kayta hanak, sumak shinallatak mancharina diseñukunaman kun. Qullqi mishak kashkakunaka ancha achikyaska shinallatak ancha mushuk ruraykunami, paykunata rurakkunapak yachayta, yuyayta shinallatak ushayta rikuchinku. Takumi Mikhuna Wasi Ukhu ruray yachak, ñawpak shinallatak mushuk yuyayta charik sumak rurashka kanata munanku. Kay Qullqi Premiu japishka diseñuka ancha riksishka shinallatak yupaychashka yuyay kan, arti, siensia, diseñu shinallatak tekinolojía ñawpak ñankunata kichuk. Takumi Mikhuna Wasi Ukhu achka runakunapak munashka rurashka kan, munayta kallarichin, alli yuyaykunata kun shinallatak mancharichin.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Robatayaki refers to a cooking method where food is grilled on a square, open grill, with people gathered around to watch and enjoy. Building on this imagery, the designers broke away from traditional Japanese frameworks, using curves and high ceilings to create a theatrical effect. The interwoven arcs create diverse scenes. With the robatayaki bar as the core, seating is layered and staggered, providing the depth of a stage. The freely flowing curves overlap within the space. Glass brick walls add an illusionary element, transforming the restaurant into a grand performance venue.
Dimensions & Packaging: The total area of the venue, excluding the kitchen, is 264.4 square meters, encompassing the chef's counter (itamae) area, VIP booths, open seating area, booths, and waiting area.
The first impression is created by the waiting area, which also serves as a photo spot. The area features a main visual element of a flaming washi paper artwork, connecting with the image of a grill. As one moves to the right and enters the restaurant, the staggered layout ensures that every seating area has a clear view of the robatayaki grilling at the chef's counter (itamae).
Tags: Robatayaki, Modern Aesthetics, Dramatic Space, Orange-Red Tone, Visual Feast
Production Technology: Metal mesh, mosaic tiles, glass bricks, and terrazzo flooring create a sense of transparency and modernity, while also enhancing openness and interaction. Departing from the traditional Japanese palette of light beige, the design primarily uses orange-red tones to evoke the warmth and vibrancy of fire. Gray tones are incorporated to balance the intensity of the overall color scheme, making the space more visually appealing and expressive. The VIP booths are particularly highlighted for their uniqueness and luxury.
Design Challenge: Challenges included differences in material selection and construction standards. Since the site is located in Shanghai, known as the 'fashion capital,' the design had to be impeccably eye-catching. Due to regional differences in materials, some ideas could not be fully realized as originally planned, leading to the need to replace certain design elements. Fortunately, the final adjustments resulted in a high-standard, high-quality presentation. The designers preserved the aesthetic and functionality of the project, demonstrating adaptability and innovative thinking in the face of challenges.
Research: The space is designed like a theater, with curves and high ceilings creating a layered seating arrangement. Every seat offers a perfect view of the chef's culinary artistry while also enhancing privacy. The orange-red tones and reflective materials recreate the robatayaki cooking process, with metal mesh and glass bricks interwoven into the details. As the aroma of fresh ingredients fills the air, dinners can experience a sensory journey. The remodeling project undoubtedly allows the brand to once again capture the market's favor, this time with an even more innovative and modern flair.
Inspiration: Inspired by traditional Japanese cuisine, robatayaki is a sensory cooking method where ingredients are arranged around a brick grill. It offers diners an exquisite dining experience, which is also one of the brand's distinctive features. In the past, the design concept often focused on restoring classic Japanese elements. However, the owner wanted this restaurant to have a different style. The designers combined a dramatic layout with semi-open dining areas to enhance privacy and visual appeal.
Project Duration: The project finished in January 2024 in Shanghai.
Operation Flow: The renovated restaurant enhances the brand's image while increasing the venue's appeal. Moreover, the restaurant's reopening during the post-pandemic recovery period saw a noticeable increase in per-customer spending, indicating that the restaurant's market positioning and renovation strategy successfully attracted a more upscale clientele. The service model, which combines specialty cuisine with interior design, further solidified the restaurant's position in the local culinary scene, bringing in a new and loyal customer base.
Team Members: Yu-Ting Liu, Ling-Ling Xiao
Image Credits: NI Space Design