Mayumi Ehara's Monya: A Masterpiece of Japanese Restaurant Design

Winner of the Silver A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2021

The inspiration for Monya's design came from the site's large glass surface facing the west. Ehara needed to soften the strong sunlight during the day, and the solution was a wooden lattice, a common feature in Japanese architecture. This lattice not only creates beautiful light and shadow effects during the day but also projects a calm and elegant image at night.

One of Monya's unique features is its variety of seating options. There are private rooms for small groups, counter seats where customers can watch the chef cook, open spaces for parties, and terrace seats with a private garden. This diversity of spaces allows customers to enjoy Japanese cuisine in a setting that suits their needs and preferences.

The restaurant was realized using a variety of innovative design techniques. The high glass windows on the façade were covered with a thin wooden grid, which can be partially opened with a sliding door. The glass-enclosed private rooms feature a soundproof slide shutter that hangs down from the ceiling, allowing the room to be divided into two.

Monya's design emphasizes the importance of the four seasons in Japanese cuisine. The restaurant offers seasonal dishes that customers can enjoy visually, leading them to visit again to experience the food of the next season. This design interaction is a testament to Ehara's understanding of the cultural importance of seasonal ingredients in Japanese cuisine.

The project began in February 2019 and was completed in April 2020. One of the main challenges was the client's request for more private rooms, which could have resulted in a closed and uncomfortable space. However, Ehara overcame this challenge by making extensive use of the traditional Japanese beauty of lattice design, creating a space that is both lively and elegant without feeling closed off.

In conclusion, Mayumi Ehara's Monya is a remarkable example of innovative restaurant design that blends traditional Japanese architecture with modern design techniques. The restaurant's unique features, such as its wooden lattice façade and variety of seating options, make it a deserving winner of the Silver A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2021.