Kaiseki Den 餐厅 by Monique Lee is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2018 A' Design Award 铜奖 in 室内空间与展览设计 Competition Category.

铜室内· 2018

Kaiseki Den 餐厅

by Monique Lee

Client: Kaiseki Den by Saotome

A' Design Award 铜奖 Winner in 室内 Category

15,580

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #61367

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Colors

The Design

About Kaiseki Den 餐厅

早乙女（Saotome）的怀石料理（Kaiseki Den）采用了独特的Wabi-sabi设计元素，包括简约，原始质感，朴实和自然，体现了怀石料理背后的禅意。店面采用天然复合木条制成，具有三维视觉效果。入口走廊和带有日式Karesansui元素的VIP房让人想起置身于一个宁静的避难所中，不受城市喧嚣的干扰。内部布局最简单，装饰最少。清晰的木线条和半透明的Wagami纸加上柔和的灯光保持宽敞的感觉。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 铜奖

Kaiseki Den 餐厅是 A' Design Award 铜奖得主，这是授予以创造力、独创性和敏锐见长的杰出设计的极具声望的认可。铜奖得主是技艺娴熟、创意惊人的作品，印证了其设计师丰富的经验、想象力与机智。预计Kaiseki Den 餐厅将成为一件备受推崇、令人钦佩且被珍爱的物品，兼具显著的专业性与创新性。这件赢得 A' Design Award 铜奖的设计融入艺术、科学、设计和技术领域的最佳实践，并因注重细节而出类拔萃。Kaiseki Den 餐厅出色地满足需求，触动渴望，迷住情感，并吸引好奇心。

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Kaiseki Den, serves Kaiseki cuisine which is a tribute to transcendental meditation. The design employs simple shapes in a three-dimensional perspective for a modest and peaceful vibe. To bring out the concept of original state of nature associated with Kaiseki and its Zen philosophy, simple, soft sandy or earthy colours, natural materials, coarse marble floor are used. They are a visual pacifier to manifest a calm mind and customers are in a brief retreat from the busy city.
Dimensions & Packaging: The site area is 137.3 sq.m
Tags: Elegant, Simple, Natural, Environment Friendly, Peaceful, wabi-sabi
Production Technology: Sustainable natural materials closest to its raw texture are selected to present the original state of nature. Tailor-made natural composite wood strips with metal strip inserted manually for a sturdy structure for shop front were assembled on spot. Interior is decorated with coarse marble floor, bamboo bark wall paper, wood screen door and linen Noren. An energy saving LED lighting system is employed. Wagami light boxes conceal an adjustable LED lighting system. For best visual effects and easy maintenance, paper cover is in a door construction with hinges hidden at the top.
Design Challenge: The biggest challenge comes from its geographical complexity. Situated on a slope, it combines 2 units of irregular shapes on different horizontal levels and with different ceiling heights. Partial area sinks below ground level outside, blocking natural light source.
Its’ irregular shape posts a feeling of disorder. Reworking the drainage system compatible with an open kitchen design requires a full-scale construction of raising the floor for a unified level surface. A simple layout, minimum use of colours and decorations also post difficulty in creating a Japanese feeling.
Research: In order to create a comfortable and simple Japanese design, we chose Japanese garden as our design direction. We researched into Kyoto Jinfu Temple Karesansui - dry landscape through different books and internet. Understanding its representation of Wasbi-sabi and the Zen meaning behind the concept. We coordinate and employ these aesthetic concepts into our design to create a tranquil atmosphere.
Inspiration: Kaiseki refers to the warm pebble Buddhist monks put on their belly during Zen contemplation to soothe feeling of hunger, a divine tool to assist the pursuit of ultimate truth. The design uses Wabi-sabi Aesthetics elements like simplicity, asymmetry to simulate a natural environment. The Japanese Karesansui Landscape represents a static form. Images like static ripple lines as Running Water, Circles as Rock meaning Land are believed to manifest a calm mind and build a tranquil environment.
Project Duration: The project stated in Feb 2017 and finished in May 2017 in Hong Kong.
Located at Shop 3-4, G/F, The Oakhill, 28 Wood Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Operation Flow: Drainage system was re-laid to allow for an open kitchen and dining counter design. Diners can see chefs cook and talk with them. Floor of kitchen and main hall was raised for extra underground space to embed drainage pipes and to keep bar counter table on same level for diners and chefs chat comfortably. On the opposite is an open space with a sliding screen in translucent Wagami paper and wooden strips. When fully open, it becomes a spacious hall. When slided closed, it creates a Washitsu private room. This allows flexible and full use of space and light, and strengthens a Japanese vibe.
Patents: Copyrights belong to Monique Lee, 2017
Team Members: Design Director: Monique Lee
Designer: Thomas Chu
Image Credits: Image #1- Photographer Ray Chow, Kaiseki Den 2017
Image #2- Photographer Ray Chow, Kaiseki Den 2017
Image #3- Photographer Ray Chow, Kaiseki Den 2017
Image #4- Photographer Ray Chow, Kaiseki Den 2017
Image #5- Photographer Ray Chow, Kaiseki Den 2017