sculptural roof crowns restaurant expansion in the chiba countryside, japan

Ushimaru restaurant expansion in chiba, japan

Axel Vansteenkiste Architecture, in collaboration with side by side architects, has undertaken the design for Ushimaru restaurant’s addition in Sammu City, in the northeastern Chiba countryside, Japan. The restaurant is housed in a European-style building, surrounded by fields and agricultural land, from which many of their ingredients are sourced. The client’s idea was to enlarge the dining area and create a new entrance, lounge, and kitchen space, all while providing guests with views of the picturesque scenery. The architects opted for an addition that creates a harmonious juxtaposition with the existing building, fostering a material and color play between the two structures. The project also included an overall renewal of most interior finishes.

sculptural roof complements the existing building 

The new structure by Axel Vansteenkiste Architecture and side by side architects builds upon the existing building’s features and expands them through two abstract volumes. The one half takes shape as a long dining space along the south facade topped by a 45-degree pitched roof, and the other is an adjacent low and opaque box-like structure in the north that consists of the service zone, including kitchen, storage, and toilets. The roof extends close to the ground on one side, concealing the adjacent parking area from sight and preventing the space from overheating. From the other end, it slightly curves upwards, revealing and guiding visitors to the restaurant’s new entrance. Upon entering the room, guests are greeted by a seven-meter-tall triangular space with an exposed timber structure.

To accentuate the abstract character of the new addition, the exterior finishes are clad in silver galvalume. This material not only provides better protection for the steel structure against the elements but also creates gentle reflections of the sky and surrounding landscape. Along the entire length of the existing dining space and the new lounge, a wood-clad service wall holds all storage, service access, a wine room, a reception area, and serving counters. This design keeps the space flexible and uncluttered, allowing for versatile use. Drawing inspiration from Ushimaru’s collection of handcrafted glass flatware, the architects collaborated with SUGAHARA GLASSWORKS INC., to craft custom handmade glass light fittings and door handles, ‘extending their tactile qualities to the fittings of the building,’ as described by the architects.

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project info:

name: Ushimaru Restaurant

architecture: Axel Vansteenkiste Architecture | @axelvansteenkiste in collaboration with side by side architects | @sidebyside.architects

location: Sammu, Chiba, Japan
duration: May 2021 – August 2022 (Design), September 2022 – March 2023 (construction), completed
site area: 793 sqm
building area: 230 sqm
total floor area: 277 sqm
building type: restaurant, 2 floors
structural system: Timber construction
structural engineering: tanioka engineers
electrical engineering: Ohtaki E&M Consulting Office Co.,Ltd.
mechanical engineering: THPLAN
construction: Akiba-kensetsu, Co., Ltd.
glassworks: SUGAHARA GLASSWORKS INC.

photography: ©Axel Vansteenkiste