We designed a new style restaurant in Tokyo International Airport. The counter seats are laid out in theater style facing towards the kitchen. Guests eat while enjoying the live show of cooking and tea-making. The restaurant staff always face their guests enabling them to provide good service at the same time communicating with the guests. The auditorium consists of three counters, each row with a different view. The front row seats are right beside the main kitchen, the second row seats are in a bar style, and from the back row seats the guests enjoy all activities in the restaurant. Guests and restaurant staff feel united at this place just as in a theater. It offers a new airport-dining experience. In order to enhance the theatrical atmosphere, we devised details of the space. The height differences of the floor and the ceiling change the sense of distance of the space. The walls are connected by a curved and a flat surface. The solid and seamless counter fits the shape of the space. The minimal setting with a few selected materials also enables people’s attention to focus on the dining experience. It is a small space that provides various angles to enjoy.
Chinese restaurant SAI, Tokyo
Ryo Matsui Architects Inc.

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Designer
Ryo Matsui Architects Inc.
Client
Tokyo Airport Restaurant Co., Ltd.
Floor area
90.34 ㎡
Completion
2017