Reviving Traditional Japanese Aesthetics: Tsuruichi Restaurant

Lee Hsuheng, Zhao Shuang, Zheng Yanan's Award-Winning Design

The Tsuruichi Restaurant, located in Beijing, China, is a testament to the innovative design approach of the team composed of Lee Hsuheng, Zhao Shuang, Zheng Yanan, and Sung Chunyi from Golucci International Design. The project, which spanned from January 2013 to January 2014, was inspired by the unique way of painting rain in Ukiyo-e, a famous Japanese painting collection.

The designers have ingeniously incorporated the aesthetics of Japanese architecture into the restaurant's design. The use of strip-type partition boards, a common feature in Japanese architecture, has not only satisfied the aesthetics of the Japanese people but also added a distinctive character to the space. This design element was inspired by Utagawa Hiroshige's technique of using dense strips to depict pouring rains in his artwork, "Sudden Rain Falling on the Bridge," from his "Hundred Beautiful Sceneries in Edo Era" collection.

The Tsuruichi Restaurant's design is unique in its ability to capture the sudden change of weather and the instant reactions of pedestrians, as depicted in Hiroshige's artwork. This way of painting rain is unique to Japanese art and is not seen in Western or Chinese ink paintings. The design team has successfully brought this unique aspect of Japanese art into a contemporary space, creating a unique dining experience for the patrons.

The restaurant, spanning 300 square meters, is constructed using a variety of materials including plastic laminate, oak, aluminum, glass, stainless steel, timber floor, and tiles. The use of these materials adds to the modern yet traditional feel of the space, further enhancing the overall dining experience. The Tsuruichi Restaurant is a perfect example of how traditional art and contemporary design can be seamlessly blended to create a unique and engaging space.

For their innovative design approach and successful execution, the design team was awarded the Golden A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2015. This award is granted to marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom. The Tsuruichi Restaurant is indeed a venerated product and bright idea that advances art, science, design, and technology, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with its desirable characteristics.