Interview about Azumaen Japanese Restaurant, winner of the A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award 2022
It is a plan of a restaurant on the shore of a lake in a national park. The booth in the private room is shaped like a mandarin duck, and the space is like a bird resting its wings quietly in a pond. Indirect lighting is also installed at the counter of the open kitchen and at the feet of the table seats to create a floating feeling like a mandarin duck floating in a pond. The height of this booth changes spirally, so it becomes a private space when you sit down. If you stand up, you can see the whole thing.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsThe inn is located in a national park and there is a lake in front of it, where many migratory birds visit throughout the year. We wanted to incorporate these birds into the motif of the architectural space.
As the space can be used for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the dimming system works based on the seasonal sun altitude to calculate the illuminance, so the space is always filled with a comfortable light.
The colors we could use were limited, and we mainly used natural materials, focusing on earth tones. This made the boundary with the outside scenery unclear, creating a space where the inside and outside seemed to be one.
The circular booth, which cleverly controls the line of sight when seated and standing, was designed with slightly different heights, so its production required advanced techniques.
In ancient Japanese temples, gold and silver leaf has been used on walls and sliding doors to allow comfortable light into the inner rooms. We applied this technique to this space.
We wanted to ensure privacy for each booth while still sharing the magnificent view outside, so that was the most difficult aspect. The idea of varying the height of the booths matched well with the concept.
The use of indirect lighting is inspired by the sunlight reflected at sunrise and sunset, and the entire space is enveloped in the soft light of indirect lighting.
The migratory birds that arrive in each season are different, and their cries and behavior are also different. Japanese food is also prepared using ingredients that are available in season, and the presentation also expresses the characteristics of that season. We wanted to express the four seasons in a Japanese style within the space.
We prioritize designs that blend in with nature. We eliminate excessive design and create a space with a Japanese approach. The fusion of simple beauty and nature has been successfully achieved.
Japan has four seasons, and the way things look, feel and enjoy change with each season. We hope you will surrender yourself to the majestic nature, enjoy your meal in a relaxed atmosphere and enjoy the season.
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