A house in a shop.
Design of Simply Native Japan takes note from traditional Japanese house typology of “kominka 古民家”
Beams and columns provide systematic framework of displaying and organizing the wide range of products and services available in an orderly fashion, whilst making reference to characteristics of kominka.
Housed within an heritage building in Sydney, it is an ode to the increased cultural commingling and coexisting.
photo : Tom Ferguson.
What you can’t see
Design of Osaka Bar is informed by the Asian virtue of humility. The unassuming blank wall provides privacy to diners inside, while stirring curiosity within onlookers, metaphorically represent the excitement a blank canvas promises
Inside, the central counter sets stage for chefs to display their skills. This central space is compressed vertically with lowered ceiling and raised platform, creating intimacy between the chefs / serving and the diners / served. Surround space is broken down abstractly and redefined by linear planes of screen ceiling, fabric noren, privacy wall and timber platform, reinforcing the dominance of the central counter stage
photo: Tom Ferguson
Visualising gravity and dining as a global citizen.
Raku is a restaurant serving modern Japanese food. Its spatial organisation makes reference to the traditional town in Japan. There is "Daibutai" (central stage/ raw bar), "Roji" (back alley/ staff circulation), "Hiroba" (plaza/ dining hall), "Koya" (cottage/ booth) and "Yashiki" (mansion/ VIP room).
Over the various spaces, a majestic ceiling of bamboo poles drapes across, its presence is felt in every corner of the restaurant. The bamboo poles are suspended on steel cables spanning 8m only fixed on their ends, causing the cables to naturally drop under gravity, forming different gracious catenary curves by varying the cable lengths. Where the ceiling drops lower, more intimate spaces such as koya and yashiki are created; where the ceiling is lifted more open spaces are created - but all spaces are nonetheless equally sharing the gracious ceiling displaying the beauty of gravity, the force of nature.
Raku opens its door to all kinds of diners; Family, couples, singles, young or old, to meet people or to dine in privacy - there is a space for you.
Work under Facet Studio
photo: Rohan Venn
Paradise for sneaker fans.
In this shop, sneakers are individually displayed, numbered, cross referenced, as if they are museum artefacts. 281 repeated boxes.
This is about the power of mass and number; when one thing of little meaning is repeated 281 times over, it creates an overpowering euphoric effect.
Work under Facet Studio
Photo: Katherine Lu
Work under Facet Studio
photo: Tom Ferguson
Work under Facet Studio
photo: Andrew Chung
Oasis in the city.
Blu Creativity is a hair salon which aims to bring the customers away from the city the moment he/ she steps into the salon.
The space is sliced into several layers of spaces with devices of different porosity - wire frame, sheer curtains, mirror boxes. The more layers there are, the more the space feels boundless; there always seems to be another layer of space beyond the current one.
This illusion of boundlessness is what removes the sense of “city”.
Work under Facet Studio
Photo: Andrew Chung
Work under Facet Studio
photo: Andrew Chung
Work under Facet Studio
photo: Andrew Chung
Work under Facet Studio
photo: Katherine Lu
Work under Facet Studio
photo: Tomohiro Sakashita
Work under Facet Studio
photo: Andrew Chung
