The project involved the relocation and repurposing of an Italian restaurant in the commercial facility near Yachiyo Midorigaoka Station in Chiba Prefecture.

In planning the project, the aim was not just to blend the new establishment with the surrounding environment but to create a new context within the vicinity. The owner’s requirements included the provision of a banquet room and dining area capable of accommodating parties of up to 250 people. Additionally, considering the spaciousness of the existing area with its wide column spans, we envisioned a dining space that would be segmented using ‘ceiling and light’ without the need for fixed walls.

The ceiling of the seating area is divided into eight sections using drop-down walls that descend to a height of FL2.2m. While accommodating the existing infrastructure passing through the ceiling space (which was previously concentrated due to the shared parking area), we established the shape and height while incorporating different finishing colors and lighting arrangements.

For the interior materials, we primarily utilized wood that would age over time, and the furniture selection was tailored to each ceiling area while maintaining an overall sense of unity. The tables in the establishment were custom-made to suit the design.

As a result, the dining area that emerged consists of a unified space, but depending on the time of day and the lighting conditions, the eight spaces form layered backgrounds or blur the boundaries between adjacent seats, creating a diverse and captivating environment.

With this relocation, the restaurant, which has been rooted in the community for over 20 years, aims to become not only a dining establishment but also a gathering place for the local community, cherished by residents in its new location.