Restaurant Sake No Hana

The Sake No Hana restaurant, part of the Hakkasan Group, is located in the low building of the famous Smithson couple's complex, The Economist, in London. At the project's outset, the client's vision for the interior design was to avoid a sleek and sterile appearance, unlike the space inherited from a former banking institution. The fundamental principle of the project is the column, as a formal approach, which acts as an integral part of the space seamlessly transitioning into the ceiling.

The solution was found in the traditional Japanese building system of frame construction 'TO-KYO'. This construction takes the shape of an inverted pyramid rising from the column, which in its entirety creates the effect of a natural forest environment. The main restaurant area is realized using prism profiles to create a pyramidal structure. On the ground floor and in the reception area, alternative bamboo poles were used for the desired effect.

The space is divided into three parts: reception, sushi bar, and restaurant on the upper floor. The first floor contains the background, sushi kitchen, sushi bar, reception, and cloakroom. The second floor houses the main restaurant area, a second bar, and a room for individual visits.

The glazed southern side needed shading to achieve an ambient effect. The architect wanted to avoid the often-used application of rice paper, which was replaced with wooden blinds. The geometric grid of individual elements appears subtle and cohesive. Diverse variations of restaurant furniture are arranged around the perimeter of the space, which has a central communication core with the background, staircase, and access to the kitchen. The walls connecting the spaces were lined with a field of thin bamboo poles. The wooden wall cladding of the main areas, backed by a black surface, corresponds with the dark upholstery of the seats and benches. The lunch menu, including a main dish, miso soup, and a bowl of rice, at the Sake No Hana restaurant ranges from £11 to £23.