Category — cool spaces

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Japanese architectural firm Ninkipen recently completed Cucchiaio, a new Italian restaurant in Osaka. The name means Spoon in Italian, so we have something in common.

The interior and exterior combine wood, metal and white to create a sophisticated atmosphere that seems to be consistent with their high-end Italian dishes. If the interior shots don’t move you, perhaps a look at their food will make you want to go?

If you happen to be in a romantic and inconspicuous mood, a combination I can’t say I encounter often, head over to Roku Nana, a new secret bar that just opened up in Roppongi. Nestled between buildings, Roku Nana made claim to the 3rd floor and a strategically situated rooftop that affords views of Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Tower. Literally 6 7, the bar takes its name from the address (Roppongi 7th ward), the only thing that will help you find the place because there are no signs. Just an address and telephone number.

Roku Nana was designed by Yasumichi Morita whose firm Glamorous, if the name didn’t tip you off, has a taste for flamboyant décor that straddles a delicate balance between classy and corny. The bar is a follow-up to imoarai, his previous secret bar in Roppongi.

Verde Roppongi 3F
7-16-11 Roppongi, Minato-ku
Tel：03-6438-9915

How cool is this new shop in the Marunouchi area by Tokyo Station!? I was just in this area a few months ago but this shop must have still been under construction. Designed by interior design and architecture firm Wonderwall, Pass The Baton is a vintage shop that derives its name from the concept of passing things on from one generation to the next.

The whole store is beautifully decked out with antique furniture, recycled consumables and 2nd hand chotchkies. Take note of the custom-chandelier made out of recycled martinelli’s apple juice bottles pictured below. An awesome concept, magnificently executed. As of now this is the first and only shop but I expect to see more locations in the future.

So, as fate should have it, Akira Minagawa, designer of the faux-Finnish Japanese label Minä Perhonen, recently collaborated on a new store in Amsterdam and guess what it’s called? Of course, “Tamago”. Of all the nerve, Akira had to go and bite my style! I’m just kidding Akira. I love the name and I think your new store looks fantastic. I also think you, me and Jurgen Lehl should sit down for lunch one afternoon.

all images courtesy of Jane Wheeler, whose lovely garments can also be found at Tamago.

(thanks Jane!)

Related:
Jurgen Lehl | 1002 Spoons
minä perhonen | arkistot

This is a follow up to my previous post on the Inujima Art Project.
I ♥ Yu (yu means hot water, or bath) is a new hot bath opening up on the island of Naoshima, which neighbors Inujima. It was conceptualized by artist  Shinro Ohtake and it sounds like it’s turning out to be one hell of a hot bath. They hired graf for the architectural component and botanical artist Makoto Azuma as the landscape designer. The bath, which is set to open later this month, will also incorporate abstract objects that Ohtake has collected during his many trips, domestically and abroad, as well as 3D drawings by the artist himself!

Here are some sneak peaks courtesy of Azuma’s blog:

Related:

• Shinro Ohtake at the Setouchi Art Festival
• Azuma Makoto

Have you ever been to the Hakone Open Air Museum? I went once when I was small and loved it! And now is a better reason than ever to plan a day trip, especially if you have kids. Early last month Tezuka Architects unveiled their latest work, Net Forest. Comprised of over 500 wooden logs, the kids space is a feat of engineering that utilizes traditional interlocking architecture instead of metal. There hasn’t been a new kids space in over 15 years so this is definitely worth checking out.

in progress images courtesy of Tezuka Architects
completed images courtesy of Hakone Open Air Museum & Tis Partners

Japanese architect Yasutaka Yoshimura recently completed Nowhere But Hayama, one out of 3 locations of a new seaside resort known as Nowhere Resort, situated on the Western coastline of the Izu Peninsula. Nowhere But Hayama opened earlier this year following Nowhere But Zushi. The last location, Nowhere But Sajima is slated to open later this year. The pictures look great! And this is right by the ocean?? Sign me up!

Nice to see projects like this developing an English interface as well.

Koenji, located on the western outskirts of central Tokyo, holds a special place in my heart. In 1982, when I was 1, my parents moved out of Brooklyn and settled down, in all places, Koenji to start anew. I went to pre-school there and the majority of my childhood memories are rooted in the area. That’s why I was so excited when I came across renowned architect Toyo Ito’s new project, Za Koenji. Opening May 1st, Za Koenji is slated to become a performing arts center for the area.

With those good ol’ memories with me I’m taking off. Have a nice weekend!

Images courtesy of site／シキチ

Related:

• Toyo Ito Notebook

Truck Furniture is having a show over at LimArt in Ebisu, Tokyo! The Osaka-based furniture designers rarely make a Tokyo appearance so this is a great time to go check out some high-quality, minimalist furniture. I did a post on them a while back, if you’d like to see some examples of their work.The show runs through Feb 22.

LimArt is also a really cool space if you’ve never been – another reason to check it out!

I decided to check back on our friends over at KATA (the designers who started it all) to see what they were up to recently. It turns out that Public Diner, one of their most recent designs, opened just last month. And I’m happy to see it’s NOT a minimal concrete bldg.

At first I was really excited at the prospect of having such a cool space in Tokyo. Then I realized it was up in Saitama Prefecture.(GMAP) But nonetheless, the structure itself is quite charming.

In all his previous work Ichiro Katami has attempted to import western idealist styles (whether it be a Greenwich Village-style diner out of an Edward Hopper painting or a European church) and translate them into a unique yet amiable space for the hardworking Japanese to enjoy themselves. And his wooden cabin-like space definitely seems like a successful candidate.

images courtesy of Ichiro Katami