carlo berarducci architecture recreates kyoto temple in zensushi
all images © fernando guerra/FG+SG

 

 

 

the ‘zensushi’ japanese restaurant designed by carlo berarducci architecture in rome, was conceived as a linear process. steps and direction changes are taken bit by bit, continually leading deeper into the eatery, but never losing the innate sense of openness. lacquered wood cladding, suspended, reflective ceilings, black marble walls, and a backlit rice paper showcase all accent the space, translating directly from the fushimi inari temple of kyoto

carlo berarducci architecture zensushi restaurant designboom
marble sushi counter 
image © FG+SG

 

 

 

partial dividers and walls are formed by closely placed black wooden shingles, partly lacquered in deep red-orange. the ceilings, in the same color, define and emphasize perspective changes; while simultaneously full-height black marble walls act as a mirrored backdrop. the same marble — with a brushed finished — composes the reception desk and sushi bar. stuck between two backlit pieces of glass is a wall of rice paper. the central focus of the space, it provides a subtle spotlight for the kaiten –sushi conveyer — and the sushi master. black floors and ceilings fade into the negative space, accentuating the fiery red-orange color scheme. 

carlo berarducci architecture recreates kyoto temple in zensushi
‘zensushi’ is organized linearly, leading from one place to another 
image © FG+SG

carlo berarducci architecture zensushi restaurant designboom
deep red and slatted division wall
image © FG+SG

carlo berarducci architecture recreates kyoto temple in zensushi
table top and restaurant length
image © FG+SG

carlo berarducci architecture zensushi restaurant designboom
black and red play off one another 
image © FG+SG

carlo berarducci architecture recreates kyoto temple in zensushi
red partition
image © FG+SG

carlo berarducci architecture zensushi restaurant designboom
illuminated rice paper wall 
image © FG+SG

carlo berarducci architecture recreates kyoto temple in zensushi
from entrance 
image © FG+SG

carlo berarducci architecture zensushi restaurant designboom
the rice paper wall spotlights the sushi master 
image © FG+SG

carlo berarducci architecture recreates kyoto temple in zensushi
fushimi inari temple in kyoto

carlo berarducci architecture zensushi restaurant designboom
plan and sections

 

 

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