Haneda Ichiba: “Uber-Fresh” Sushi designed by Tsukada Architects

Jul. 21

For the interior of “Haneda Ichiba,” an “uber-fresh” sushi restaurant, directly sourcing seafood from the fisherman or partner fishery by the airplane or bullet train, I took a design clue from this direct procurement system.

In planning, I put a focus on composing walls. The interior features the wall elements of varied heights – the façade, hanging walls, and partitions – defining each spot. The raised counter seating, which brings the customers’ eye levels up, feels close to the chefs while the dining area has an open ambience, overlooking Osaka Station through the building’s exterior glazing.

Translating to Haneda Market, “Haneda Ichiba,” recalls to mind Haneda Airport, a procurement hub of the restaurant, while the Japanese kanji character for “hane” means “wing.” As an image that not only encapsulates the restaurant’s identity but is associable with the speed and lightness that ensures the serving of fresh seafood, I abstracted the character into a grid pattern that references a traditional Japanese check, which matches the Japanese food, sushi. Revealed on the luminous walls, this wing pattern continues from the façade to the hanging walls in the dining area, creating an inviting, market-like atmosphere. Also quilted into the seating upholstery to form a coherent whole, this grid pattern flavors the space with rhythm and lightness.

The luminous wall panels, composed of a steel framework, a board with laser-cut wing pattern, and a “Carlton” panel, auto-illuminate at an optimum indoor comfort level, adjusting to the surrounding environment. The “Carlton” panel is a glass fiber-and-pulp composite, typically used as a light ceiling material, selected here for its light, workable, and nonflammable qualities.

With the light of the wing motifs, this sushi restaurant made its first smooth landing in the Kansai region.

Planning & Drawings