Alberni Tower Restaurant

Vancouver, Canada - 2020

INTERIOR DESIGN OF A JAPANESE RESTAURANT IN AN UPSCALE RESIDENTIAL TOWER - DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS

by Kengo Kuma and Associates

The restaurant occupies the north west corner of Alberni tower, a residential tower located in the centre of Vancouver, that was also designed by Kengo Kuma and associates. The site has a peculiar shape both in plan and in section, due to the curve facade and the presence of a large green amphitheatre that constitutes the main entrance to the tower, partly cutting into the allotted area. Due to the inclination of the facade and the bowl shaped ceiling, the internal height along the northern and eastern sides of the volume is lower than the code allows. For this reason, the dining areas are set back and a lush garden of native wild grasses is located in the space between the tables and the glass facade, creating a visual connection with the exterior and giving the impression of dining outside. The restaurant is recognised for its traditional Japanese cuisine and has already earned a Michelin star in its original site in Tokyo, therefore the interiors need to provide an elegant and traditional atmosphere, while ensuring adequate levels of privacy.

In order to create a separate and more intimate area for the private dining tables, the north west corner of the store is surrounded by grasses on all four sides and provided with hemp curtain dividers that create a semi transparent separation of the tables from each other.

Above the kitchen, a mezzanine is created to host the back of house areas: staff changing rooms, cold storage and mechanical plants.

GLASS PANEL

ALUMINIUM PANEL

CLAD IN HEMP FABRIC