Read the Latest Issue
HD MAGAZINE
Inspiration at your fingertips
Sign up for the latest edition of Hospitality Design magazine and HD's various newsletters
DIGITAL EDITION PRINT SUBSCRIPTION NEWSLETTERS
ARCHIVED ISSUES
HD EXPO + CONFERENCE
See you in 2025!
Save the date for the industry's leading event in Las Vegas, May 6–8th, 2025
HD EXPO + CONFERENCE
        • Projects
          • Development + Destinations
          • Boutique + Lifestyle
          • F+B
          • Hotels + Resorts
          • Retail + Commercial
          • Wellness + Sustainability
        • People
          • Interviews
          • Podcasts
          • Webinars
        • News
          • Business + People
          • Boutique + Lifestyle
          • Development + Destinations
          • F+B
          • Five on Friday
          • Hotels + Resorts
          • Retail + Commercial
          • Wellness + Sustainability
        • Products
          • Accesories + Art
          • Bath + Spa
          • Beds + Bedding
          • Flooring.
          • Furniture
          • Lighting
          • Outdoor
          • Roundups
          • Surfaces
          • Technology
          • Textiles
        • Videos
          • Awards + Events
          • BDNY
          • HD Expo + Conference
          • HDTV
          • Partner Spotlight
        • Awards + Events
          • HD Expo + Conference
          • BDNY
          • HD Awards
          • HD Summit
          • HD NextGen Forum
          • HD Platinum Circle Awards
          • HD CitySCENE
          • HD Wave of the Future
          • BD Forums
          • BD Match
          • Gold Key Awards
          • Senior Lifestyle Design Match
          • Event Photos
HD MAGAZINE
Inspiration at your fingertips
Sign up for the latest edition of Hospitality Design magazine and HD's various newsletters
DIGITAL EDITION PRINT SUBSCRIPTION NEWSLETTERS
ARCHIVED ISSUES
HD EXPO + CONFERENCE
See you in 2025!
Save the date for the industry's leading event in Las Vegas, May 6–8th, 2025
HD EXPO + CONFERENCE
Follow Along
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
M
POPULAR SEARCHES
PODCASTS
WEBINARS
FURNITURE
PROJECTS
VIDEO INTERVIEWS
INTERVIEWS
M
    
Search IconA magnifying glass icon.
  • News
    • Business + People
    • Boutique + Lifestyle
    • Development + Destinations
    • F+B
    • Five on Friday
    • Hotels + Resorts
    • Retail + Commercial
    • Wellness + Sustainability
  • Projects
    • Development + Destinations
    • Boutique + Lifestyle
    • F+B
    • Hotels + Resorts
    • Retail + Commercial
    • Wellness + Sustainability
  • People
    • Interviews
    • Podcasts
    • Webinars
  • Products
    • Accessories + Art
    • Bath + Spa
    • Beds + Bedding
    • Flooring
    • Furniture
    • Lighting
    • Outdoor
    • Roundups
    • Surfaces
    • Technology
    • Textiles
  • Awards + Events
    • HD Expo + Conference
    • BDNY
    • HD Awards
    • HD Summit
    • HD NextGen Forum
    • HD Platinum Circle Awards
    • HD CitySCENE
    • HD Wave of the Future
    • BD Forums
    • BD Match
    • Gold Key Awards
    • Event Photos
  • Videos
    • Awards + Events
    • BDNY
    • HD Expo + Conference
    • HDTV
    • Partner Spotlight
  • Subscribe
    • HD Newsletters
    • HD Magazine – Print
    • HD Magazine – Digital
    • BD Newsletters
    • BD Magazine
Read the Latest Issue
News: F+B
June 6, 2025

Kintsugi Guides the Redesign of San Francisco’s Saru Handroll Bar

GTL Architecture & Interiors reimagines the Michelin-starred restaurant a decade after its debut

Words by: Stephanie Chen • Photos by Margaret Austin

saru handroll bar san francisco sushi Kintsugi japanese philosophy minimal retrained natural palette wood car bar stools gray limewash walls white lantern lighting

News:

F+B
June 6, 2025

Kintsugi Guides the Redesign of San Francisco’s Saru Handroll Bar

GTL Architecture & Interiors reimagines the Michelin-starred restaurant a decade after its debut

Words by: Stephanie Chen • Photos by Margaret Austin

In a thoughtful evolution of a long-standing collaboration, Mai Takahashi Lee, founder of GTL Architecture & Interiors, was tapped to reimagine Saru Handroll Bar, a San Francisco restaurant she originally designed more than a decade ago.

Tasked with supporting a more casual dining concept, the new space balances legacy and reinvention, drawing inspiration from the Japanese art of kintsugi, which finds beauty in restoration and imperfection.

Rooted in this philosophy, Takahashi Lee preserved core architectural elements that remain essential to the restaurant’s operation, while layering in refined new interventions.

A 22-seat handroll sushi bar made from locally fabricated oak now anchors the space, accompanied by custom bar stools.

The artfully restrained palette is tied together with washi paper-inspired pendant lights, venetian plaster walls, and discreet acoustic paneling that softens the ambient energy.

saru handroll bar san francisco sushi Kintsugi japanese philosophy minimal retrained natural palette wood car bar stools gray limewash walls

saru handroll bar san francisco sushi Kintsugi japanese philosophy minimal retrained natural palette wood car bar stools gray limewash walls plant bench

saru handroll bar san francisco sushi Kintsugi japanese philosophy minimal retrained natural palette wood car bar stools gray limewash walls gorilla

More from HD:
9 Restaurants That Delight the Senses
Denver’s Populus Hotel Moves the Needle on Sustainability
What I’ve Learned Podcast: Jonathan Leary, Remedy Place

F+B
Americas•Renovations + Restorations

SHARE

em

ln

fb

pn

tw

NEWS F+B

No. 79 Bar & Terrace Showcases Retro French Flair

Jun 5, 2025
NEWS F+B

Lele’s Roman Brings the Charm of Rome to Brooklyn

Jun 2, 2025
NEWS F+B

No. 79 Bar & Terrace Showcases Retro French Flair

Jun 5, 2025
NEWS F+B

Lele’s Roman Brings the Charm of Rome to Brooklyn

Jun 2, 2025
← Previous Article Next Article →
HD MAGAZINE
hospitality design magazine august 2024 issue product marketplace

Inspiration at your fingertips

Get the newest issue of Hospitality Design magazine

DIGITAL EDITION

PRINT SUBSCRIPTION
ARCHIVED ISSUES
HD NEWSLETTERS

Join the list

Sign up for HD's various newsletters
for exclusive weekly content
SUBSCRIBE

BD MAGAZINE + NEWSLETTER

boutique design magazine fall 2024 issue

Sign up!

Don't miss the latest from Boutique Design

NEWSLETTER SIGN UP

SUBSCRIBE

ARCHIVED ISSUES

About | Contact | Buyers Guide | Advertise | Advisory Board | Sitemap

FOLLOW US ON

  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow

Subscribe

Emerald Logo
© 2025 Emerald X, LLC. All Rights Reserved
ABOUTCAREERSAUTHORIZED SERVICE PROVIDERSYour Privacy ChoicesTERMS OF USEPRIVACY POLICY

Sign up to stay informed about our latest awards and events.

Follow Along
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow

Sign up to stay informed about our latest awards and events.

Follow Along
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow