Our friends from Abitare shared this cool noodle shop designed by ISSHO Architects with us. Located in central Tokyo, the ‘soba’ noodle shop has Machiya-style wooden louvers, invoking a traditional Japanese townhouse. The varying depth of each louver creates a textured sensation across the facade. Regionally different patterns of light spill through the façade from the interior, allowing a gradual change of character at dawn, especially as viewed from the main street. The facade aesthetic is modified on the interior’s ceiling as white curved panels contrast the concrete and wood dinning areas to soften the space. A minimalistic residential apartment for the owner sits above the noodle shop.
More images after the break.
Images photographed by KOICHI TORIMURA
simple move, nice effect.
the interior is way better. the exterior pattern is not so nice and seems totally arbitrary. i have a feeling after a few winters this wood cladding is going to look terrible.
Seconded. It seems like an interior->exterior design, they found something that worked on the inside and transferred it without a second thought.
Only in Japan can you get away with a dining room that tight.
I think it’s beautiful.
And I would guess that the exterior was the first idea and they transferred that to the interior, not the other way around. Wooden louvres in front of a glass facade is pretty standard fare for buildings in Asia. I’m not worried about it holding up. Besides, the integrity of the design is not contingent upon the louvres staying perfectly crisp and sleek.