Otemachi in central Tokyo is where numerous offices of leading companies and governmental offices are located. The plan engages 300-tsubo space on the entire sixth floor of Fuji Sankei Building with 31 stories above ground.
A large segment of the shop’s target customers are business people from many corners of the world.
With an awareness of its international clientele, the focus of the spatial design is placed on harmonizing the reproduction of traditional Japanese style with modern taste.
As a feature of high-rise buildings, the building has a giant core in the center, meaning that the customer seating is joined in a cloister that reaches 80m. The texture of the clay wall, illuminated by soft, indirect light and arrangement of tsuboniwa garden at the cloister arouse a feeling of expectation. The main dining room with 5m high ceiling features latticed ceiling and sumie painting screens. Further down the dining room is a bar counter, complete with 50 kinds of liquor. Several types of private rooms varying in size are available for group customers including rooms that surround the tsuboniwa garden and tea-ceremony space.
In total, what considerations should be made to create a welcoming environment filled with relaxing atmosphere? This example seeks to answer that question by emphasizing light and materials as forms of expressions in the design. Handmade papers that permeate light, traditional lattices and other elements come together and overlap, commencing their motion as they synchronize with the gaze.
The greatest emphasis in this process, as an image-creating element, was placed on creating an impression of people in this arrangement blending into the space, and presenting them in a drastic and glamorous image.