Silver Interior Space and Exhibition Design · 2025
Teru Sushi Restaurant
- A' Design Award 2025 Silver Winner in Interior Space and Exhibition Design
- Awarded April 15, 2025
- CLIENT: VRILLO Co., Ltd.
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 24,340
- Verification code 8F606C3E4E · Verify this award
About Teru Sushi Restaurant
Teru Sushi is a sushi restaurant interior in Kitakyushu City, Japan. The 95 square metre space was created by renovating an existing dining venue. Guests enter through a passage inspired by the tea ceremony, which builds anticipation before the main room. A circular counter stands at the centre and acts as a stage, so every seat offers a clear view of the chef. Earthen walls, Italian tiles, ash wood and ceramic tiles made in the Mino pottery tradition surround a polished stone finish. Lighting highlights the cuisine and the craft.
Norihiko Terai's Teru Sushi Restaurant exemplifies the contemporary evolution of traditional dining rituals, translating the intimate theater of omakase service into an architectural experience that honors heritage while embracing technological innovation. The designer demonstrates exceptional command of spatial dramaturgy, employing the curved wooden ceiling as both acoustic modifier and visual metaphor, its converging lines suggesting the gathering of natural elements toward the moment of culinary creation. The material palette establishes a sophisticated dialogue between epochs: warm timber surfaces evoke the handcraft traditions central to sushi preparation, while precision-engineered LED systems introduce a luminous modernity that positions the establishment within current hospitality design discourse. The color temperature relationships prove particularly accomplished, with the cerulean accent lighting suggesting oceanic freshness and cool precision while the surrounding walnut tones provide psychological warmth essential to hospitable environments. The counter arrangement reflects deep understanding of the omakase tradition, where the semi-circular seating creates a democratic congregation around the chef's stage, each position offering equivalent visual access to the performance of preparation. Textured wall panels contribute rhythmic visual interest through their geometric patterning, their dimensional surfaces catching light to create subtle gradations that enrich the peripheral experience without distracting from the central focus. The threshold experience receives careful attention, with material transitions from slate flooring to elevated timber platform and illuminated edges creating a processional quality that builds anticipation. This interior invites consideration of how architectural design might enhance not merely comfort but the very perception of taste and ceremony. What dialogue emerges between the ancient rituals of sushi craftsmanship and the contemporary language of light and form that envelops the diner?
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Creates a theatrical space, distinct from typical dining venues. The tea ceremony-inspired approach heightens anticipation, leading to a dramatic counter. The black-toned space blends traditional craft with modern design, fostering intimacy. The circular counter acts as a stage, allowing close observation of the artisan's skill. Sensory presentations and cuisine provide a memorable experience. A new form of dining entertainment that harmonizes space and experience.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- 95㎡
- Tags
- Restaurant Design, Sushi Restaurant, Renovation, Japanese Culture, Traditional Beauty, Modern Design, Theater-Style Restaurant, Natural Materials, Earthen Walls, Coffered Ceiling, Mino Momoyama, Japanese Modern, Luxury Restaurant, Craftsmanship
- Production Technology
- Patrons enter, experiencing a blend of traditional and modern design. Warm earthen walls and Italian tiles create texture. Ash and wood at the entrance lead to a circular counter. Crafted ceramic tiles, continuing Mino pottery tradition, surround a polished stone finish. The space highlights artisanal skill and history, offering a unique dining journey.
- Design Challenge
- Create theatrical dining, breaking tradition. Hurdles: maximizing limited space, blending tradition/modernity, enhancing experience beyond design. Solutions: circular counter, nuanced lighting, material harmony, integrated performance elements. Result: a novel theatrical dining experience.
- Project Duration
- This restaurant is located in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka, Japan. The renovation began in July 2023 and was completed after approximately 90 days of construction.
- Operation Flow
- Enter via a tea ceremony-inspired path, unlike typical dining. Guests find a theater-like space with a central stage-counter. All seats offer clear chef views. Design uses traditional materials, like earthen walls and tiles, to engage all senses. Lighting highlights cuisine and chef skills. Guests enjoy chef interaction and community, experiencing a unique blend of space, craft, and culinary art.
- Research
- Research analyzed customer preferences, revealing demand for entertainment in dining. Spatial design studies showed dark tones, natural materials, and stage lighting created memorable experiences. Theatrical space analysis proved circular counters and performances enhanced engagement. Project aimed to redefine dining with immersive entertainment.
- Inspiration
- A traditional dining establishment in Kitakyushu transformed into a theatrical entertainment space. A tea ceremony-inspired passage heightens anticipation, leading to a stage-like counter. Black-toned space blends traditional materials with modern tech. Sensory presentations and cuisine redefine the dining experience.