█ bento asian kitchen
sarasota, fl : [2020]
Memories play an arguably large role in how we approach new spaces and new experiences. We were particularly interested in the idea of memory as a way to introduce the familiar in an unfamiliar blank-canvas environment. The interior design is heavily influenced by a series of supergraphics that envelops the perimeter walls and ceiling of the main dining room. Abstracted, layered elements gleaned from various aspects of Japanese culture suggest memories of place through a rich series of collages. Images appear in and out of focus often obscured by blurred streaks of color and graphic filters, representing the fleeting and temporal nature of memory and experience. The bold use of graphics applied to dramatic volumetric forms bridges a realm between 2-dimensional imagery and 3-dimensional space. More important than the mere presentation of imagery or form was our desire to capture an atmosphere. The interior tonal palette shifts from energetic oranges and reds to calming violets and blues at the other end. This subtle but dramatic shift in color creates a sense of pace and movement through the space while paralleling the drastic shift in scale from the towering double-height volume at the front entry to the more compressed ceiling height at the rear of the dining room. The bright graphics are offset by a palette of more subdued materials which are intended to evoke an urban setting. Reflective glass, glossy subway tile, large aggregate solid surfacing, oxidized brick, and neon lighting are allegorical to a vignette of materials one might find in a dense metropolis. Crisscrossing elements are introduced to add an element of excitement and unpredictability. The interplay of acute geometry intersecting at random angles adds to the energetic sensation of the space.
photo credit | Chad Baumer Photography