Located in the Pinheiros district of São Paulo, Brazil, Kotori has debuted as a new concept from chef Thiago Bañares. The space, crafted by locally based design practice Coletivo de Arquitetos, channels Japanese design vernacular that complements the restaurant’s menu. The cozy-yet-cool interior draws inspiration from the study of Japanese moorings and fittings, as well as high fashion.
“We did a study on some icons of Japanese culture, such as the fantastic work of Issey Miyake, for example, but listening to Thiago Bañares, understanding his references, and mainly understanding what kind of cuisine he was proposing, determined the choice of wooden bars as the architectural translator of the chef’s gastronomy and the main design element of this project,” Coletivo de Arquitetos partner and architect Guile Amadeu.
Totaling nearly 3,700 square feet, Kotori is outfitted with wooden lattice suspended from its tall ceilings that serves as its main focal point. The decorative design conceals lighting in the dining room, while also operating as shelving in the bar and a showcase for books, plants, and décor in a passage. The signature pleats of fashion designer Issey Miyake are echoed across the ribbed concrete face of the bar and kitchen, and his fabrics informed the decision to bathe the interior in plywood. Furniture is also wrapped in a light translucent film to recall the sheen of washi, a special paper made from fibers. The square kitchen is open to the dining room to immerse guests in meal preparation as well.
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