Area tourism informs design of Ichi Station sushi restaurant in Milan
Valencian design studio Masquespacio has accomplished a dine-in restaurant for takeaway sushi chain Ichi Station in Milan, with interiors designed to resemble a futuristic spaceship.
Set in a historic constructing within the Brera district, the chain’s newest outpost builds on the identical journey and transport idea established throughout its different shops – together with eight in Milan and one other in Turin.
However Masquespacio wished to take this concept to the subsequent stage for the brand new restaurant by drawing on the visible language of sci-fi and area tourism.
“We proposed approaching the journey idea as a visit to the long run,” mentioned Masquespacio co-founder Christophe Penasse.
“Whenever you enter Ichi, it is like getting into a capsule-like spaceship travelling by means of gentle, the place you’ll disconnect from actuality with a view to get in contact with the meals.”
Masquespacio fully redeveloped the structure of the 80-square-metre web site – beforehand one other restaurant – making a central eating space together with a tunnel the place diners can observe a few of the sushi-making course of.
A pick-up bar near the doorway was added to separate the circulation routes of take-away clients and diners.
The tunnel motif was developed as a solution to categorical the concept of journey and make a reference to Japan with out falling into cliches.
“Some components had been included to remind the shopper of Japan, like the large lighting circles, though we tried to keep away from making typical references to Japan resembling utilizing picket constructions,” Penasse defined.
The tunnel motif additionally knowledgeable the round and cylindrical particulars that pop up all through the area throughout seat backs, bar stools and ornamental components such because the round characteristic gentle in the primary eating space.
“The shapes and kinds give the mission the futuristic look that it wanted,” the designer mentioned.
Masquespacio opted for a easy and restrained materials palette that features glass and micro-cement, which was used together with totally built-in tables and seating to create a seamless look paying homage to a spaceship.
The restaurant’s custom-made furnishings brings in one other reference to move design tropes. “You’ll be able to recognise it as a reinterpretation of the seating in a station and particularly on a prepare,” Penasse defined.
The inside is completed in impartial shades of beige and off-white however is solid in several vivid colors due to the LED lighting system that’s built-in into the partitions, ceilings and even the desk tops.
The lights alternate between shades of blue, inexperienced, purple and peach at variable speeds and, based on Penasse, create a veritable “explosion of color”.
Though based mostly in Spain, Masquespacio has accomplished plenty of tasks in Italy in recent times.
Amongst them are two colour-block eating places for fast-food chain Bun – a blue-and-green inside in Turin and a green-and-purple model in Milan.
The images is by Luis Beltran.
