Wood-wool cement-board walls and concrete tabletops feature in this Tokyo restaurant interior by Japanese architect Keiji Ashizawa.
Located a few minutes walk from Kawaguchi station in one of Tokyo's largest commuter towns, Grillno is a cosy, 26-seat restaurant that serves a menu of smoked and grilled dishes.
Top image: tables and chairs made from concrete, steel and wood furnish the interior. Above: dim lighting sets the mood
Built on the second floor of a concrete apartment building, the moodily lit interior features walls made from grey wood wool cement board alongside oak floors and doors.
An open kitchen with a long concrete counter allows diners to watch the chefs at work as they eat.
"There are two fundamental inspirations," said Ashizawa, "the building materials used for the thirty-year-old concrete apartment building and the food ingredients the restaurant uses daily." The textured walls are made from grey wood wool cement board
The 62-square-metre restaurant only opens in the evening, so guests typically experience the space at sunset or after dark.
"The space gets some natural daylight from the entrance," Ashizawa told Dezeen. "The gentle light from the setting sun creates a spectacular atmosphere during the opening hours."
A concrete counter stretches along the length of the open kitchen
The restaurant's owner is a friend of the Tokyo-based architect, as well as a regular collaborator.
"Since starting his career as a ...