Japanese architect Keiji Ashizawa designed the interior of this beautiful restaurant located in Tokyo, Japan, the Grillino Restaurant. Only a few minutes’ walk from Kawaguchi station (one of the largest Tokyo commuter towns) Grillno is a small and cozy, 26 seat restaurant. As Grillno is a restaurant specialized in smoked and grilled dishes, they began by planning an open kitchen and a long concrete counter around the kitchen so that people could enjoy watching the chef cooking while eating.
Together with the counter, they designed a long suspended light made of steel to illuminate the dining area evenly. To make the most out of the space as possible, they planned different types of seating arrangements: A long counter table with a rounded end so that 3-4 people can sit around, some tables for two or four, and a sofa seat. With a few rough materials, worked expertly by craftsmen, they tried to achieve a relaxing atmosphere with moments of tension to match the food and hospitality.