Restaurant Archives

Akio Isshiki Architects marries old and new with Japanese home and restaurant

Japanese studio Akio Isshiki Architects has transformed an old wooden building into a warm-toned home and public restaurant named House in Hayashisaki Matsue Beach.

Located on a coastal street in Akashi in southern Japan, the mixed-use space was built within a 50-year-old building for a local designer and features a curry restaurant as well as residential and working spaces.

Designed to reflect traditional Japanese dwellings, the home and restaurant are contained within a wooden building that was previously dark and separated.

Exterior image of House in Hayashisaki Matsue Beach — House in Hayashisaki Matsue Beach was designed by Akio Isshiki Architects

During the renovation, Akio Isshiki Architects aimed to pair existing elements with modern features to reflect the mixed-use nature of the project.

“The house was divided into small rooms, narrow and dark,” studio founder Akio Isshiki told Dezeen.

“It was very old and damaged, but fortunately the carpenter had done a good job, there were no leaks, and the structure was solid.”

Interior photo of House in Hayashisaki Matsue Beach — It is located in Akashi

Accessed from the roadside, a series of circular stones form a path that leads through the planted front garden and curves to extend along the front of the building, providing access to the ground-floor restaurant.

Here, a stepped sheltered porch features external seating and is separated from the interior space by a wide sliding glass door set in a timber frame, which offers views into the garden and can be fully opened to connect the dining space to the outside.

Interior photo of the restaurant at House in Hayashisaki Matsue Beach — The structure contains a restaurant and a home

Inside, the floor has been coated with dark tiles informed by the history of the area, which was formerly a large tile producer.

“These tiles were handcrafted one by one by tile craftsmen in Awaji, with the image of lava stone pavements seen in cities in Central and South America superimposed on the texture and edge shape,” said the studio.

Wooden furnishings, including bespoke D-shaped chairs designed by the studio and created by a local woodworker, are arranged throughout the dining space at the front of the building.

“To ensure stability even on uneven floors, three legs are used as a base for the chairs, and the legs are made of a thick material so that they do not fit in the joints of the Kawara tiles,” said Isshiki.

“I aimed for a primitive design with an unknown nationality, with as simple and crude a composition as possible.”

Separated from the main space by an earth-toned counter, the kitchen is tucked into one side of the dining room and features walls clad in wooden panels and white tiles, along with a lighting fixture formed from two circles that hangs in the street-facing window.

A Japanese shoji screen at the end of the dining room is the first of a series of flexible partitions throughout the home that can be pulled out to provide separation between the spaces.

Photo of House in Hayashisaki Matsue Beach — The upper floor contains private residential space

“Conscious of the tropics and nostalgia, we put nets that look like mosquito nets and sudare blinds on the shoji screens,” said the studio. “The graceful plans created by imperfect partitions such as shoji and fusuma are typical of ancient Japanese architecture.”

“In this house, where cultures, nationalities, times, and various other things are combined, I thought it would be appropriate to have the spaces partially mixed so that they could feel the presence of each other, rather than being permanently partitioned in terms of usage,” it continued.

Photo of a corridor at the Japanese home — Wood was used throughout the interior

Built on a raised timber platform, the rest of the ground floor holds private rooms for the client, which are divided by shoji screens, including a traditional Japanese room that opens onto a garden.

A home office borders the dining space, where a central black ladder leads to the floor above, while a bedroom, bathroom and utility room branch from the other side of the corridor.

Photo of the home — The residential space has views of the sea

Upstairs, the studio added an open arrangement of dining and living spaces with warm-toned surfaces including a red wall and dark wooden beams that interact with the home’s original rustic roof structure.

“The wall on the second floor is a scraped wall mixed with red iron oxide and finished by a plasterer from Awaji,” said Isshiki. “This is an attempt to incorporate the colourful walls of each country into architecture in a Japanese context.”

Interior photo of the home — The home has an open-plan living arrangement

Other Japanese homes recently featured on Dezeen include a Tokyo home spread across two stacked volumes and a concrete home supported by a single column on Japan’s Okinawa Island.

The photography is by Yosuke Ohtake.

Reference

Interior Design

Michael Groth uses natural and recycled materials inside Donna restaurant

By Zarkon Group,11/07/2023

New York designer Michael Groth collaborated with a Moroccan artisan cooperative to create the wall hangings for this worker-owned bar and restaurant in the West Village.

The opening of Donna‘s new location on Cornelia Street follows the closure of its Williamsburg spot in December 2020 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Banquette seating with wool wall hanging above in Donna restaurant — Michael Groth has designed the new Donna outpost in New York

Serving a pan-Latin menu with Mediterranean influences and Filipino-inspired cocktails, the restaurant and bar is now a worker-owned cooperative, with original owner Leif Young Huckman acting as an advisor.

To reflect this shift, Brooklyn-based Groth aimed to imbue the design of the new outpost with references to the previous location while nodding to Donna’s revised business model.

Bar area with earth-toned plaster walls — Earth-toned limewash plaster was applied to the walls in geometric patterns

He drew influences from the constructivist art movements of Latin America in the 20th century and particularly the work of artists Sandu Darie, Pedro Alvarez and Lygia Clark.

Donna is decorated with earth-toned limewash plaster, applied to the walls in geometric patterns that echo the brand’s visual identity.

Circular light fixture above the dining area in Donna restaurant — Groth created wall hangings in collaboration with artisan cooperative The Anou

Exposed brickwork is painted white, forming a plain backdrop for the circular wool wall hangings that Groth created in collaboration with Moroccan artisan cooperative The Anou.

These help to dampen the acoustics while lime plaster assists in regulating humidity, according to Groth.

The tables are crafted from reclaimed Douglas fir flooring and stained plywood was used to build the banquette seating that wraps the perimeter.

Bar-back shelving and floors were repurposed from the unit’s previous tenant, while the bar tops were fabricated by Brooklyn Stone and Tile – another worker-owned cooperative.

Reclaimed Douglas fir tables and stained plywood banquettes — Tables are crafted from reclaimed Douglas fir

“The use of any new materials was limited to those that are natural and biodegradable, keeping in mind the holistic effects of resource extraction, human health and equity, and circular material cycles,” the Donna team said.

Pendants lights above the bar have shades made from mushroom mycelium, which according to the team presents “an environmentally holistic approach to material creation that poetically reflects Donna’s equitable business model”.

Bar with mycelium pendant lights suspended above in Donna restaurant — The pendant lights above the bar feature mycelium shades

New York City’s dining scene was upheaved during the pandemic, with many eating and drinking establishments forced to either adapt or shutter.

As a result, sidewalk dining shelters sprung up across the city, as documented in these photographs by John Tymkiw.

The photography is by Nicholas Ruiz.

Reference

Interior Design

Pirajean Lees creates Arts and Crafts-style interior for Mayfair restaurant

By Zarkon Group,01/06/2023

London design studio Pirajean Lees referenced Mayfair’s pastoral past and created a series of spaces that nod to the idea of a Georgian manor house when designing restaurant 20 Berkeley.

Pirajean Lees aimed to build a story around the space and its sequence of many small rooms, while tapping into the restaurant’s British produce-led culinary approach.

Seating area in main dining room of 20 Berkeley — Pirajean Lees has completed the 20 Berkeley restaurant in Mayfair

“The restaurant is situated in the heart of Mayfair, a place once on the cusp of the city and countryside,” Pirajean Lees told Dezeen.

“The farming history of the area and its connection to the surrounding rural lands is prevalent throughout the project and paramount to the dining experience.”

Dining area in restaurant in London by Pirajean Lees — The restaurant features a series of cosy rooms on the first floor

Pirajean Lees wanted to put nature and craft at the heart of this design project to align it with the ethos of Creative Restaurant Group, the restaurant’s founders.

“This led us to build on the strong connection of an imagined Mayfair Georgian manor house and its rural lands, which would have been used to grow produce,” the studio said.

“A central staircase leads to rooms usually found in a traditional family home, such as the drawing room, music room, pantry, orangery and salon. Each room has its own character whilst belonging to the one property.”

Seating banquette in 20 Berkeley restaurant — Among them is the music room

On the upper-ground floor are the richly designed reception and main dining rooms.

The lower-ground level houses a 14-seat private room with its own exclusive lounge and dining area, alongside the kitchen, wine cellar and main bar, The Nipperkin.

The design of the interiors references the arts and crafts movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Seating booth in restaurant in London by Pirajean Lees — Stained glass features in the drawing room

“At 20 Berkeley, we have developed a layered story of handmade details and tactile finishes that exude elegance,” said Pirajean Lees.

“The project’s expression is rooted in the traditions of craftsmanship and how the process of making decorative objects and furniture should showcase the beauty of both its materials and construction.”

Table at restaurant in London by Pirajean Lees — Antique mirrors were used to surround the building’s columns

The resulting aesthetic is detailed, with a palette of rich, warm tones including ambers, ochres and dark reds, used across upholstery and textural wallcoverings. Floor tiles have been hand-crafted in Wales and feature clay embedded with fossils.

Bespoke joinery work was utilised throughout the space, including for the wall panelling, dowelled ceilings and an English oak staircase.

The project also features bespoke elements that were added to bring a sense of opulence to the various spaces.

These include a pantry, in painted timber, that provides a strong focal point of the upper floor. Here, chefs prepare dishes on the pantry island, “inviting guests to witness the chefs’ craft, as one would do in one’s home, whilst hosting guests for dinner,” said Pirajean Lees.

In the orangery, a bespoke pickling cupboard, made from sapele wood and marble, serves as “a pleasing curiosity”, used by the chefs to store jars of vegetables for their recipes.

Staircase in 20 Berkeley restaurant — An English oak staircase leads down to 20 Berkeley’s lower ground level

The bespoke dining tables and chairs were made of oak, while the chairs have been traditionally upholstered for maximum comfort.

“The bespoke and craft elements bring depth to the project, anchoring it in its strong narrative and creating timeless interiors,” said Pirajean Lees.

Private dining area in 20 Berkeley restaurant — A private dining room is located on the lower ground floor

Bespoke stained glass, handcrafted in a North London studio, is another of the restaurant’s features.

Used in the reception and drawing room, the stained glass has been strategically positioned, backing onto the busy central bar to give a sense of movement and energy.

In front of the windows, it warms the light coming into the rooms to create an immersive atmosphere.

Table in private dining area of restaurant in London by Pirajean Lees — Mixed clay tiles are laid across the floor

“The stained glass introduces shadows and reflections, which change throughout the day and are different in each room,” said Pirajean Lees.

“As per each of our projects, the tailored finishes, joinery and surfaces here, have been carefully created to ensure optimum use of the space by the restaurateur and their guests.”

Other hospitality projects from the studio include an ornate sushi restaurant in Dubai with interiors informed by 1920s Japan and a members club in London, housed inside the iconic music venue Koko.

The photography is by Polly Tootal.

Reference

Interior Design

Space tourism informs design of Ichi Station sushi restaurant in Milan

By Zarkon Group,08/05/2023

Valencian design studio Masquespacio has completed a dine-in restaurant for takeaway sushi chain Ichi Station in Milan, with interiors designed to resemble a futuristic spaceship.

Set in a historic building in the Brera district, the chain’s latest outpost builds on the same travel and transport concept established across its other outlets – including eight in Milan and another in Turin.

View inside ICHI Station restaurant — Masquespacio has designed Ichi Station’s Brera outpost

But Masquespacio wanted to take this idea to the next level for the new restaurant by drawing on the visual language of sci-fi and space tourism.

“We proposed approaching the travel concept as a trip to the future,” said Masquespacio co-founder Christophe Penasse.

“When you enter Ichi, it’s like entering a capsule-like spaceship travelling through light, where you will disconnect from reality in order to get in touch with the food.”

Takeaway counter of sushi restaurant in Milan by Masquespacio — Customers can pick up orders at the takeaway counter

Masquespacio completely redeveloped the layout of the 80-square-metre site – previously another restaurant – creating a central dining area along with a tunnel where diners can observe some of the sushi-making process.

A pick-up bar close to the entrance was added to separate the circulation routes of take-away customers and diners.

Dining area of ICHI Station restaurant in Brera — The dining area is housed in a cylindrical tunnel

The tunnel motif was developed as a way to express the idea of travel and make a reference to Japan without falling into cliches.

“Some elements were incorporated to remind the customer of Japan, like the huge lighting circles, although we tried to avoid making typical references to Japan such as using wooden structures,” Penasse explained.

The tunnel motif also informed the circular and cylindrical details that pop up throughout the space across seat backs, bar stools and decorative elements such as the circular feature light in the main dining area.

“The shapes and forms give the project the futuristic look that it needed,” the designer said.

Counter seating in Milan restaurant by Masquespacio — Diners can also watch sushi being prepared at the counter

Masquespacio opted for a simple and restrained material palette that includes glass and micro-cement, which was used along with fully integrated tables and seating to create a seamless look reminiscent of a spaceship.

The restaurant’s custom-made furniture brings in another reference to transport design tropes. “You can recognise it as a reinterpretation of the seating in a station and especially on a train,” Penasse explained.

Dining booths in ICHI Station restaurant — LED light panels are integrated into the walls, ceilings and table tops

The interior is finished in neutral shades of beige and off-white but is cast in different vivid colours thanks to the LED lighting system that is integrated into the walls, ceilings and even the table tops.

The lights alternate between shades of blue, green, purple and peach at variable speeds and, according to Penasse, create a veritable “explosion of colour”.

Toilets of restaurant in Milan by Masquespacio — The toilets are finished in contrasting navy blue

Although based in Spain, Masquespacio has completed a number of projects in Italy in recent years.

Among them are two colour-block restaurants for fast-food chain Bun – a blue-and-green interior in Turin and a green-and-purple version in Milan.

The photography is by Luis Beltran.

Reference

Interior Design

Álvaro Siza designs mural for Space Copenhagen Porto restaurant

By Zarkon Group,23/04/2023

A ceramic mural by Álvaro Siza is at the heart of this rustic restaurant interior in Porto, Portugal, designed by Space Copenhagen.

Located in a renovated 16th-century building in Porto’s Largo de São Domingos area, the Cozinha das Flores restaurant features a mural designed by the Pritzker Architecture Prize-winning Portuguese architect.

Hand-painted mural designed by Álvaro Siza — Pritzker Prize-winner Álvaro Siza designed the mural

“Whilst Siza has created many pieces of non-architectural works worldwide, he had never created something of this kind for his hometown of Porto,” Space Copenhagen founders Peter Bundgaard Rützou and Signe Bindslev Henriksen told Dezeen.

“Given Siza’s prominence and contribution to Porto life, having him manifest this into a mural depicting his perception of the city was beyond our expectations.”

Open kitchen in Cozinha das Flores restaurant — Cozinha das Flores is located in a 16th-century building in Porto, Portugal

Sketches of figures playing musical instruments stand out in black against contrasting lime green and burnt orange tiles, which was completed by ceramic tile company Viuva Lamego.

“When asked to imagine a piece for Cozinha das Flores, he [Siza] depicted the recurrent theme of musicians, representing time well spent; fun, relaxed moments; a medley of emotions; and people joined by arts and culture,” said the studio.

“The specialist craftspeople used a traditional technique of hand painting the scaled-up facsimile of a sketched image from paper onto the tiles, painted dot by dot.”

Plastered wall and wooden table in Porto restaurant interior — The studio used green and orange tones throughout the interior

The green and orange hues of the tiles appear elsewhere in the interior. Green cushions top the built-in oak seating bench that runs along the wall below the mural, while doorways were painted dark green.

The colour palette was unified with coppery plastered walls and warm lighting.

“We introduced plastered walls in earthy warm tones and a conscious use of light to enhance and saturate,” the studio explained.

Green door and wooden table in Porto restaurant — The focus on the local area is reflected in the studio’s design choices

Natural materials like stone, marble, brass and oak were used throughout the interior. The seating was arranged around an open kitchen, which has dark grey quartzite stone surfaces and wooden cabinets.

Under the direction of Lisbon-born chef Nuno Mendes, the restaurant aims to celebrate the ingredients, wine and culture of northern Portugal.

Wooden tables and chairs in Porto restaurant — Space Copenhagen’s approach involved collaborations with local craftspeople

The warm, earthy hues chosen by Space Copenhagen were informed by the restaurant’s food, as well as the building and area in which it is located.

“The historical building structure that frames the restaurant and bar provided the base palette, which we have built upon,” said Space Copenhagen.

“Aged stone and dark-stained wood were our existing starting points. All elements are associated with the city of Porto”, they added.

Round wooden table in Porto restaurant — Materials were sourced from across Portugal

Throughout the project, the studio prioritised regional materials and collaborated with a variety of local architects, artists and craftspeople. Woodworkers from northern Portugal crafted the dark wood furnishings and fittings.

“All stone, wood, metal and tiling has been sourced from regions in Portugal using a proximity criterion as priority,” said the studio. “All the millwork has been made by local artisans.”

Wine cabinet in Space Copenhagen restaurant design — Natural materials like stone, marble, brass and oak feature throughout the interior

Cozinha das Flores, and its adjacent 12-seater bar, Flôr, are amongst five heritage buildings that make up the Largo project, set to open later this year.

Other local projects by Siza include his 1963 Boa Nova Tea House, which was transformed into a seafood restaurant for Portuguese chef Rui Paula in 2014. Previous projects by Space Copenhagen include the renovation of the Mammertsberg restaurant and hotel in Switzerland and the Blueness restaurant in Antwerp.

The photography is by Luís Moreira and Matilde Cunha.

Reference

Sustainable News

Elly Ward designs own restaurant Edit using reclaimed materials

By Zarkon Group,16/04/2023

Architect and restauranteur Elly Ward has opened the low-impact restaurant Edit in London, drawing inspiration from its vegan, minimal-waste menu to create an interior filled with reused and recycled materials.

Ward collaborated with her husband Joe Morris of architecture studio Morris + Company on the project, which was designed using low-intervention methods.

“It’s been designed to be as circular as possible, which is the whole philosophy of the restaurant,” she told Dezeen.

Interior of Edit restaurant — The Edit restaurant features exposed brick walls

Edit is located in a former factory and warehouse building in east London and connected to the adjacent Morris + Company architecture office.

Visitors to the restaurant can view the studio’s models through a large glass door, adding a decorative touch to the space.

This door and a window into the office were two of the main changes Ward made to the existing space, which she has transformed using recycled and reclaimed materials.

Window in Edit restaurant — A window connects the interior with the adjacent architecture studio

The building’s brick walls – including a former exterior wall that still features old advertising text – were retained alongside the warehouse’s cast-iron columns and beams, forming the structural fabric of the 197-square-metre restaurant.

Ward added lightweight screen partitions that slot between the existing structures, including a wall made from wood and recycled polycarbonate that divides the main dining area from a smaller private dining room.

Polycarbonate wall with wooden shelves — A polycarbonate screen with wood shelving divides the space

A warm red floor, made from screed topped with a water-based resin, matches the floor in the architecture office next door and contrasts the textured brick wall that Ward and Morris painstakingly unveiled from underneath layers of paint.

At the rear of the space, the duo clad a wall in salvaged maroon terracotta tiles, which merge into the bar counter. These were among the many recycled materials that Ward used for the project.

“I call them my wonky tiles because they’re like the wonky fruit and wonky veg of the industry that gets thrown away because it’s not a perfect carrot,” she said.

Furniture in Edit restaurant — Elly Ward filled the restaurant with vintage furniture

The architect also reused the copper from an existing bar in the restaurant, which now clads the sinks in the bathroom.

“It’s all about diverting waste from waste streams,” Ward said.

“When you’re building something new, you have to get things,” she added. “If you can’t buy recycled or reclaimed, you have to look for renewable materials, things that would have otherwise gone to waste but you’ve made into something else.”

“It’s almost a checklist of ‘how circular can you be?'”

Wooden chairs in London restaurant — A red floor creates a warm atmosphere

Ward also sourced vintage Scandinavian school chairs to provide seating in the restaurant and complemented them with her grandparents’ wooden chairs and vintage Ercol seats.

The accompanying tables have tops made by British company Foresso using waste wood chips set in a plant-based resin, creating an effect similar to wooden terrazzo and adding textural interest to the room.

Resin and wood tabletop — The tabletops are made from recycled wood and resin

The lighting in the space was handmade by British artist Peter Lanyon using wood salvaged from trees that were trimmed back in a local woodland in Devon. Pieces include a “chandelier” made from a piece of hazelwood with hanging lampshades made from cherrywood veneer.

Throughout the restaurant, the colour palette adds a sense of warmth. While the main room has a red hue, Ward chose a calming green colour for the smaller private dining room.

Private dining room in Edit restaurant by Elly Ward — Lamps made from wood decorate the private dining room

“We started with the red; it’s obviously such a strong colour,” Ward said. “I’m somebody who’s quite into colour and I’m not really afraid of it but I didn’t want it to be a ‘pop’ kind of place.”

In the bathroom, the red hue is tempered by the decorative natural cork that clads the walls in both the main space and the toilet cubicles.

“It’s all waterproof and actually really good for humid, damp environments and you can wipe it clean,” Ward said.

Edit restaurant in London — Restaurant guests can admire architectural models while they eat

To Ward, there’s a connection between the food and architecture industries that she wanted to underline in Edit’s design.

“I did a deep dive into the food industry and found out a lot of stuff about provenance and how a lot of the things we’re looking at in the architecture world about circularity and sustainability are kind of echoed in the food industry,” she said.

“I wanted the design to match that philosophy.”

Other vegan restaurants with decorative interiors include Humble Pizza by Child Studios in London and Sydney vegan cafe Gumbuya.

The photography is by Jack Hobhouse.

Reference

Interior Design

Linehouse creates Coast restaurant with “Mediterranean soul” in Shanghai

By Zarkon Group,27/03/2023

Design studio Linehouse has used natural, tactile materials for the interiors of the Coast restaurant in Shanghai for China’s casual dining brand Gaga.

The restaurant is set inside a traditional mid-century Shikumen house – a blend of Western and Chinese architecture – with a renovated interior informed by its Mediterranean menu.

“We aimed to create a deep connection with coastal elements and Mediterranean soul,” said Linehouse co-founder Alex Mok.

Dining room in Gaga's Coast restaurant — Linehouse has completed the Coast restaurant in Shanghai

According to the studio, the restaurant’s aesthetic is one of “refined rusticity” – a contemporary reframing of rough-hewn vernacular styles, that creates a laid-back and tranquil atmosphere.

Throughout the scheme, Linehouse was informed by the idea of coastal terrain, including earthy and fired elements.

Linehouse chose a natural material palette, which in turn informed the colour scheme that flows throughout the interior of the three-storey restaurant.

Green-tiled cafe in Shanghai designed by Linehouse — Green-glazed lava stone surrounds the ground-floor cafe and bar

The aim was to take the visitor on a “vertical journey” by giving each of the three floors its own unique identity.

“The colours and materials shift on each floor, telling a different part of the story,” Mok said.

Bar in Gaga's Coast restaurant — The bar is finished in the same tiles

On the ground floor, where a daytime cafe transitions into an evening bar, green and earthy tones link to the leafy garden beyond. Walls are wrapped in a green-glazed lava stone, with a deliberately hand-made patina, “representing the earth element”.

Custom furniture pieces designed by Linehouse were used throughout the restaurant, while lighting was chosen for its intriguing, sculptural forms from designers including Santa & Cole and Studio KAE.

Natural timbers were used for the centrepiece bar counter, while the timber-framed windows open up to the silver-grey of the olive trees outside.

Open-hearth grill in Gaga's Coast restaurant — An open-hearth grill features on the first floor

Above this on the first floor is an intimate dining space lined with white-washed stone and timber panelling. Layered oak panels hung horizontally from the ceiling create intimate dining nooks, with taupe-toned banquette sofas and oak dining tables.

The focal point of this room is the parrilla – an open-hearth grill – and a chef’s table.

“The concept of the open parrilla grill captures the quintessence of Mediterranean cuisine,” Mok told Dezeen.

On this level, fire-informed red and brown tones punctuate the space including the tiles that line the kitchen, which were repurposed from used coffee grounds.

Finally, on the top floor under the exposed timber beams of the pitched roof, Linehouse created a string-wrapped wine room and a lofty private dining space.

Stairwell in Shanghai restaurant designed by Linehouse — Panels of string line the staircase structure

The walls were again clad in white-washed stone. But here, it is contrasted with the intense black of yakisugi, or fire-preserved wood, which serves as a backdrop to a chef’s table.

The space also features a generously-sized balcony, providing views out across this bustling neighbourhood.

Cord-lined wine bar in by Linehouse — Linehouse created a string-wrapped wine room on the top floor

The spaces are linked by a staircase that weaves up through the centre of the building. Its chalky-white outer walls are patterned with a sculptural relief of sea creature exoskeletons, echoed by collections of shells displayed in glass jars nearby.

Panels of string, woven into simple grids, line the staircase structure, allowing natural light to flow into the heart of the building.

“We chose materials that tell the story of the coastal journey, while the exoskeleton wall is a modern representation of the sea,” said Mok.

Wine bar with wooden furniture in Gaga's Coast restaurant — The top floor also houses a private dining room

Linehouse was founded by Mok and Briar Hickling in 2013 and the duo went on to win emerging interior designer of the year at the 2019 Dezeen Awards.

The studio has completed a number of other projects in Shanghai, including a space-themed cafe decorated with real meteorites and an office housed in a former swimming pool.

The photography is by Wen Studio, courtesy of Linehouse.

Reference

Interior Design

Dezeen Pinterest roundup features eight warm restaurant interiors

By Zarkon Group,06/03/2023

Restaurant interiors with natural finishes have been popular on Pinterest this week, including a beach club restaurant in London and a Japanese restaurant in Canada featuring paper lanterns. Follow Dezeen on Pinterest and read on to find out more about the projects.

Pinners have been predominantly drawn to the Dezeen’s boards that feature restaurant interiors. The most popular have soft, warm lighting schemes and make use of natural materials and wooden furniture.

A sushi restaurant in Dubai stood out due to its black tiles, grey plaster and dramatic lighting.

Scroll down to see eight popular projects pinned on Dezeen’s Pinterest and browse our restaurants Pinterest board to see more projects.

Ikoyi restaurant, UK, by David Thulstrup

Copenhagen-based designer David Thulstup carried out a complete renovation of the interiors of London’s Ikoyi restaurant.

Informed by spices from sub-Saharan Africa, he created a warm and earthy colour palette featuring a variety of materials including copper and oak.

Find out more about the Ikoyi restaurant ›

Milk Beach Soho, UK, by A-nrd

Natural materials feature in this eatery designed by London design office A-nrd to resemble an Australian beach club.

The restaurant’s seating is made from timber and rattan, while sandy-hued Palladian terrazzo covers the floor.

Find out more about Milk Beach Soho ›

Hello Sunshine, Canada, by Frank Architecture

Japanese design elements like paper lanterns and ceiling-hung textile artworks feature in the interiors of the Hello Sunshine bar and restaurant in Alberta, Canada.

The studio incorporated plaid curtains, stone and wood to suit the restaurant’s mountain location.

Find out more about Hello Sunshine ›

Sahbi Sahbi, Morocco, by Studio KO

Influenced by female chefs and Morrocan cuisine, Studio KO used earthy colours and natural materials like wood to create a warm and inviting space for guests at Sahbi Sahbi (above and top).

Finer details include rust-coloured ceramic urns, clay pots and pans and orange-brown paint used for an alcove above a sink.

Find out more about Sahbi Sahbi ›

Saga Hirakawaya restaurant, Japan, by Keji Ashizawa

Materials “with a sense of simplicity” including wood and concrete were used to create minimalist interiors for a tofu restaurant in Japan’s Saga prefecture.

Wood was used for the entrance, windows and undersurface of eaves to match the wood from Ariake, a furniture brand also based in Saga. To complement its stripped-down interior, Japanese designer Keji Ashizawa added wooden furniture and pale grey walls.

Find out more about The Saga Hirakawaya restaurant ›

Bao Express restaurant in Paris by Atelieramo

Bao Express, France, by Atelieramo

Traditional Hong Kong diners informed the design of Bao Express, Paris.

To recreate the 1970s Hong Kong urban atmosphere, the studio included celadon-green walls and curvaceous wooden booths. Pastel colours and neon lights also feature.

Find out more about Bao Express ›

Restaurant interior with table settings and lights

Bacchanalia London, UK, by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio

Martin Brudnizki Design Studio was informed by classic Greek and Roman mythology when designing the interiors of this London restaurant.

Sculptures more than 2,000 years old can be found at the bar and five specially-commissioned monumental statues by Damien Hirst dominate the main dining room.

Find out more about Bacchanalia London ›

Origami sushi restaurant in The Dubai Mall by VSHD Design

Origami, Dubai, by VSHD Design

A moody and dark interior was created for a sushi restaurant in The Dubai Mall, United Arab Emirates.

To replicate the atmosphere of Japanese underground sushi bars, VSHD Design used textured grey plaster, matte-black tiles and dramatic low lighting.

Find out more about Origami ›

Follow Dezeen on Pinterest

Pinterest is one of Dezeen’s fastest-growing social media networks with over 1.4 million followers and more than ten million monthly views. Follow our Pinterest to see the latest architecture, interiors and design projects – there are more than four hundred boards to browser and pin from. Currently, our most popular boards are Apartments and Concrete houses.

Reference

Interior Design

Jialun Xiong balances contrasts at “retro-futurist” 19 Town restaurant in LA

By Zarkon Group,26/02/2023

LA-based furniture designer Jialun Xiong has completed her first restaurant interior in the city for 19 Town, achieving a retro-futurist look by pairing soft hues and metallic surfaces.

Serving Chinese fusion food, the 19 Town restaurant is located in an industrial area close to Downtown LA.

Entry with stainless steel and Formica counter — Upon entry to 19 Town, diners are met at a stainless steel and Formica counter

The name is a play on words from a phrase in Mandarin, signifying a venue that has food and wine according to Xiong, who is originally from Chongqing.

She used a variety of materials and her own furniture designs to give the space a sense of “lavish restraint”, through the combination of minimal forms and rich details.

Lounge area with metal seating — Designer Jialun Xiong aimed to create “high-drama interiors” through the use of contrasting materials

“Crafted with rigorously minimal forms balanced by rich materials like Venetian plaster, silver, and leather, the restaurant’s high-drama interiors create an elevated dining experience where connection around food takes centre stage,” said a statement on behalf of Xiong.

The 4,200-square-foot (390-square-metre) restaurant is divided into five areas, which include the main dining space, a bar and lounge, and three private rooms.

Lounge area behind glass block wall — Glass block partitions define the spaces

Each space is designed with its own identity, including the entry, featuring a custom brushed stainless steel and Formica reception desk.

Behind, the wall is covered in Venetian plaster and plywood cabinets offer storage, while a series of circular Vibia pendant lights hang above.

Furniture detail — Xiong used multiple pieces from her Building Blocks collection to furnish the restaurant

Glass block partitions define the perimeter of the main dining area, comprising a central seating area with round tables, and custom banquettes made from brushed stainless, green leather and vinyl.

“Overlooking an open kitchen, the main dining space evokes an aura of retro-futurism,” said the team.

Stainless steel banquette — The main dining room features custom stainless steel banquettes

The lounge is located on one side and the screened bar is situated on the other – both continuing the same design language as the central room, but with their own twist.

Xiong used multiple pieces from her Building Blocks collection to furnish these spaces, such as a silver powder-coated metal bench with off-white leather upholstered seats.

Other items also combine industrial and natural materials, creating a balance between soft and hard, shiny and matte, and heavy and light.

A variety of lighting designs with disc-shaped elements are installed throughout, adding to the retro-futurist appearance.

Private dining room at 19 Town — The restaurant has three private dining rooms, all with a restrained aesthetic

The private dining spaces are decorated using a monochromatic palette and a restrained approach, with green providing a subtle injection of muted colour.

The overall result is a series of “balanced spaces where furnishings, lighting, and spatial volumes are considered together as a total composition”.

Bar located in screen porch — The bar also features custom furnishings

Minimalism has become an increasingly popular style choice for Chinese restaurants, both in China and around the globe.

Others include a hotpot restaurant with thick stucco walls in Qinhuangdao, a muted monochrome space in Ontario, and an eatery featuring stainless steel, brass and polycarbonate in Manhattan.

The photography is by Ye Rin Mok.

Reference

Interior Design

Gin Design Group completes The Lymbar restaurant in Houston

By Zarkon Group,18/02/2023

Houston-based Gin Design Group has combined various mid-century references at a local restaurant, which celebrates its chef’s family history and is “a tribute to all grandmothers”.

Located at The Ion business centre in Midtown Houston, The Lymbar‘s design was heavily influenced by the upbringing of chef David Cordúa, whose menu is based on Latin-Mediterranean cuisine.

Bar with painted mural by Carissa Marx — The Lymbar’s bar features a mural by Carissa Marx influenced by the colours of the chef’s family home

The 4,000-square-foot (370-square-metre) establishment is named after Lymbar Drive, the street where Cordúa’s grandparents settled in Houston from Nicaragua.

It was designed by Gin Braverman of Gin Design Group, who was the chef’s childhood babysitter.

The Lymbar dining room — Tones used for the plush furniture were taken from the bar mural

“The Lymbar is my grandmother’s house,” Cordúa said. “The house stayed in our family, and it’s where we perfected our family’s hospitality.”

“It’s a tribute to all grandmothers,” he added of the restaurant, which is intended to feel both elevated and cosy, achieved through warm lighting, deep red curtains and plush furnishings.

A life-like tree in the middle of the dining room — Greenery is introduced by a life-like tree in the centre and globe-shaped planters above the bar

“We wanted to capture the bustle of a hotel lobby, the polish of a private club and the hospitality of the Cordúa family in the design,” Braverman said.

“Mixed with a confluence of Latin American, Lebanese and Mediterranean textures and art layered over a backdrop of classic mid-century materials such as warm woods, earthy colors and lush greenery.”

Shelving above banquette seating — The shelving above the banquette seating displays mementos from the chef’s childhood

The colour palette for the interiors was drawn from the Cordúa family home.

Orange, red and olive hues were used as a starting point for a mural painted on the front of the bar by local artist Carissa Marx.

Dining tables and a collage by Vernon Caldera — Artworks in the space in include a collage by Vernon Caldera, while the scalloped floor pattern was hand-painted by Carissa Marx

Influenced by the work of Brazilian modernist Roberto Burle Marx, no relation to Carissa, the mural then informed the tones chosen for the lounge-style furniture.

Marx also hand-painted a black and white scalloped pattern across the concrete floor.

Red velvet curtains and warm lighting evoke the appearance of a hotel lobby

Other nods to mid-century design in the restaurant include the shelving at the main bar, which was inspired by Gio Ponti’s Planchart Villa in Venezuela.

The shelves display a collection of nostalgic objects and mementos from Cordúa’s childhood.

Greenery is introduced through a life-like tree that sits at the centre of the dining area and large globe-shaped planters above the bar created in collaboration with locally based Nicaraguan artist Vernon Caldera and The Flora Culture.

Caldera also helped to curate The Lymbar’s art collection, and one of his collages hangs in the dining room.

Private dining room — A private dining room is decorated entirely in a red-purple shade

The restaurant’s open kitchen is framed by a concrete counter and faceted breeze blocks that incorporate lighting. There’s also a private dining room decorated entirely in a red-purple shade.

Gin Design Group focuses on hospitality interiors primarily in the Houston area. The studio recently completed a barbershop in the Southside Place neighbourhood, which features a radial layout and a hidden cork-like bar.

Other restaurants to open in the city over the past year include cosy Japanese spot Uchiko Houston and lively smokehouse Loro Heights – both designed by Michael Hsu.

The photography is by Leonid Furmansky.

Reference

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Elly Ward designs own restaurant Edit using reclaimed materials

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Jialun Xiong balances contrasts at “retro-futurist” 19 Town restaurant in LA

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