Skip to content
Moritomi Japanese Cuisine Nihon Mikhuna Wasi by Tetsuya Matsumoto

Moritomi Japanese Cuisine Nihon Mikhuna Wasi by Tetsuya Matsumoto is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 A' Design Award Qullqi Premiu in Ukupi Kamay Competition Category.


QullqiUkupi· 2020

Moritomi Japanese Cuisine Nihon Mikhuna Wasi

by Tetsuya Matsumoto

Client: Moritomi

A' Design Award Qullqi Premiu Winner in Ukupi Category

37,181

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #99235

Colors

The Design

About Moritomi Japanese Cuisine Nihon Mikhuna Wasi

Moritomi, Nihon mikunata quq mikhuna wasi, Himeji Pukara teqsi herencia qayllanpi musuq tiyakusqan, materialkunapa, rikch'ayninkuna, aranway arquitectonicos t'ikraypa tupanakuyninkunata rikuchin. Musuq k'itiqa pukarapa rumi sayasqankunapa rikch'ayninta imaymana materialkunapi kutichinata munan, chaypim kachkan ch'asqa rumikunawan, llañu rumikunawan, yana oxido qhataykusqa metalmanta, hinaspapas tatami ch'ushakuna. Huch'uy resinaawan qhataykusqa rumikunamanta pampaqa pukarapa yaku t'uqunta rikuchipun. Iskay llimpikuna, yurak yanawan, yakuhina purichkan hawamanta, hinapas quruwan k'uchunawan sumaq rurasqa haykuna punkuta chimpapuspa, chaskiy wasiman.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Qullqi Premiu

Moritomi Japanese Cuisine Nihon Mikhuna Wasi 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. Moritomi Japanese Cuisine Nihon Mikhuna Wasi 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. Moritomi Japanese Cuisine Nihon Mikhuna Wasi 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
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.

Sponsored

Explore Beyond Designers.org

Discover products, services and opportunities from our advertising partners.

Good Design Deserves Great Recognition

The A' Design Award is an international, juried accolade for good design. Take part in the A' Design Award to get an opportunity to earn meritocratic recognition, gain fame, prestige and publicity for your work. Nominate your work for the A' Design Award and compete for the coveted A' Design Prize.

Nominate