After four years of concept development and planning ' kicked off by a two-week research trip to Tokyo, this project rose from an empty lot in Washington D.C.'s Chinatown. The building features two distinctive restaurants in one ' a casual ramen shop on the lower level and an izakaya above.
Designing the building from the ground up, we were able to reinterpret the customary lanterns that mark izakayas, transforming the whole façade into a glowing lantern at night with a laser cut Seikai-ha pattern. The final result is a building that brings a dose of Tokyo's forward-looking design to Washington's sedate streetscape.
The ground floor takes inspiration from Sapporo-style ramen shops, with tight seating and simple design, keeping the focus on the food and quick cafeteria-like turnover. The ramen counter is clad in graphic blue and yellow tiles, a visual match to the frenetic pace of the ramen chefs. Flames and steam from the woks are visible from the street, drawing in passerby.
Upstairs, the izakaya reflects the spirit of Tokyo taverns, blurring the line between bar and restaurant. Though larger than the izakayas the team visited, we were able to break down the space and give diners a sense of intimacy with cotton rope screens around booths. A mixture of seating types, vintage lighting, and pinned-up Japanese fabrics give each patron a different experience.
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