Sushi Koji

Restaurant for Sushi koji

This sushi restaurant uses an abundance of natural materials. The design was inspired by the owner's warm personality and his attitude as a craftsman. The counter was made of ginkgo and padouk wood, cut with a custom blade and finished smooth to the edges, and scraps were used for the sushi board. Chairs made of local cypress were designed to highlight the grain of the wood. Washi on the walls was made from processed mulberry, and organic patterns were created by pouring Gofun on the paper during the papermaking process. These elements creating an atmosphere that can only be felt here.

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Sushi Koji by Ryuji Kojo Toshihiro Obata

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Restaurant by Ryuji Kojo Toshihiro Obata

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Ryuji Kojo Toshihiro Obata Sushi Koji

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Ryuji Kojo Toshihiro Obata Restaurant

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Sushi kojiBrand Logo

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Unique Properties

The sushi restaurant was designed using natural materials. There is only an 8-seat counter where guests can enjoy the sushi while watching the chef's work. The scrap ginkgo wood used for the countertop was utilized for the sushi board and cutting board. Chairs designed with the grain of the wood in mind, walls covered with original Washi, and signboards made of maple plates dyed by iron mordant not only reduce the waste of resources, but also create a healing effect with the use of solid wood.

Tags

Interior, Restaurant, Sushi, Material, Japan, Fukuoka

Production Technology

Avoiding the use of industrial products as much as possible, original handmade Washi and solid wood were used as the main materials. Washi on the walls was made by processing mulberry, and organic patterns were created by pouring gofun (Japanese powdered pigment) during the papermaking process. The countertops were cut with a custom blade to smooth the edges, and the chairs made of local cypress were joined with double mortise and tenon to ensure high strength and durability.

Design Challenge

The challenge was to efficiently arrange the seats without making it feel cramped. We placed great importance on the design of "ma", a uniquely Japanese aesthetic that is expressed in Japanese architecture and art. The fan-shaped counters and ceiling design give the impression of spreading endlessly. On the walls with minimal decoration, a single-flower vase is placed, creating a relationship in which the flowers and the blank space enhance each other. People can feel more expansive than area.

Project Duration

Completed in December 2022, Fukuoka city, Japan

Operation Flow

In order to create the maximum number of seats, the counter is designed fan-shaped. By doing this, creating a space around the entrance that separates it from the seating area, and also creating a gently changing scene in a space of only 24 m2. Guests pass through the door covered with cedar planks, change their minds at the entrance, and arrive at the seating area as if guided by the curved wall. They can enjoy sushi without worrying about the outside or the comings and goings of people.

Research

In working on the project, we considered "design as a brand". We extended the owner's worldview and spatial experience by directing a wide range of tools to communicate the store (brand), such as signage, business cards, and thank-you letters, using a space design approach and some of the materials used.

Inspiration

Client is a sushi chef who has worked at many famous restaurants. In designing a sushi restaurant that would open when he became independent, we were inspired by him. To embody his warm personality and his attitude as a craftsman who brings out the flavor of ingredients, we created a space that gently envelops guests with soft materials. The space, created while taking advantage of the original characteristics of materials, will grow in depth with time, fostering an atmosphere only felt here.

Image Credits

Image #1-4 : Photographer Toshihisa Ishii / Blitz Studio Image #5 : Photographer Airi Inoue

Project Overview

Sushi Koji Restaurant has been a Bronze winner in the Interior Space and Exhibition Design award category in the year 2023 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Bronze A' Design Award is given to outstanding designs that showcase a high degree of creativity and practicality. It recognizes the dedication and skill of designers who produce work that stands out for its thoughtful development and innovative use of materials and technology. These designs are acknowledged for their professional execution and potential to influence industry standards positively. Winning this award highlights the designer's ability to blend form and function effectively, offering solutions that enhance people's lives and wellbeing.

Bronze Recognition

Ryuji Kojo, Toshihiro Obata was recognized with the coveted Bronze A' Design Award in 2024, a testament to excellence of their work Sushi Koji Restaurant.

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