Oita Soho Modern Japanese Restaurant

Oita Soho Modern Japanese Restaurant

Oita Soho Modern Japanese Restaurant is an innovative interior design project that exemplifies the sophisticated fusion of traditional Japanese aesthetics with contemporary spatial design principles. Located in a Grade II listed building in London, this remarkable establishment, completed in January 2023, represents a departure from conventional minimalistic Japanese restaurant design through its thoughtful integration of darkness, light, and natural elements. The design concept draws profound inspiration from Tanizaki's essay In Praise of Shadows, exploring the intricate relationship between illumination and obscurity in Japanese architectural tradition. The space, spanning 136 square meters across two floors, features carefully curated elements including backlit paper parasols arranged in flowing patterns along the stairway, creating an enchanting visual narrative that guides visitors between levels. The interior's distinctive atmosphere is achieved through meticulous attention to lighting design, with strategically positioned parallel mirrors that generate infinite light reflections, contributing to the space's mysterious ambiance. The restaurant's aesthetic is further enhanced by an abundance of plants and botanical imagery, complemented by artworks from Imao Keinen that feature birds in seasonal settings, establishing a nocturnal garden atmosphere. The design, which earned the Silver A' Design Award in the Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design category, showcases exceptional material selection, primarily utilizing fire-retardant timber and veneered oak MDF throughout the space, while carefully preserving and matching the historic building's original finishes where necessary.

Japanese interior design, contemporary restaurant architecture, botanical spatial design, traditional Japanese aesthetics, atmospheric lighting design, sustainable commercial interiors

— Adam Dawson