Yoshida

Distinctions

Discipline : Interior Design

Categories : Hospitality — Accommodation, Restaurant & Bar / Restaurant : Gold certification

Yoshida draws inspiration from the serene landscapes of Japanese terraced paddy fields. We incorporated layered elements to every surface in the restaurant, gesturing to the stepped architecture of the hillside rice paddies as well as the unique dishes that are layered with flavors. The use of fluted mirror material represents the purity, flow, and reflection of water that weaves through the paddies. The color palette draws upon the diverse tones of different rice products and the plant’s growth stages, blending greens, dark and light browns. Gold tones accentuate the space and reference the sun’s reflection on the fields. Patterns on the wall, bar die, and shape of the light fixtures are inspired by the traditional hats worn during Japan’s annual Rice Planting Festivals, paying homage to the cultural significance of rice through design.

Yoshida invites curiosity from its sidewalk entrance. The street side façade, clad in dark wood panels, frames two large windows that gesture towards the restaurant’s interior without revealing what’s inside. Intricately detailed metal screens cover the windows inside, and an additional layer of sheer drapery obscures one’s view into the interior, ensuring an intimate dining experience.

The entrance through the vestibule provides a soothing transition into the restaurant. The dark hues of the wood paneled walls and veined marble flooring are gently illuminated by a warm light from a lantern-inspired light fixture set into a niche in the wall. The vestibule is separated from the main restaurant by a pair of velvet green curtains, allowing guests a moment to decompress before entering the dining space.

Upon entering the restaurant through the velvet drapes, guests are welcomed into a warm, inviting space. The use of natural materials and muted, earth-toned color palette reflects Yoshida’s reverence towards the organic simplicity of the rice plant. The green leather upholstery of the banquettes and counter seating instills an organic tranquility throughout the space, with detailed stitching on the stools elevating even the most foundational objects with delicate precision. A series of wood wall panels to the left of the dining room feature hand-painted artwork of rice fields, which are evenly spaced between panels of thick, casted ribbed glass. Woven wall panels on the opposite wall, made from wood veneer, are inspired by patterns found on the traditional clothing worn by participants during the rice planting festival. This woven wood motif is echoed in the bar front paneling. The bar’s smooth wood countertop wraps around the sushi preparation area, providing guests with a front row seat to the spectacle of sushi making. The counter extends to the far wall of the restaurant where slabs of natural stone cover a section of the wall to help anchor the space in organic symmetry.

The project in images