JIGI Poke Restaurant

Text description provided by architects. When we had the opportunity to design a Poke Restaurant, we decided to edit the concept from what was already known. This project is about re-evaluating ideas about how hospitality is organized in times of pandemic. We have greatly reduced the number of potential guests seated at the same time and increased the distances between people sitting opposite each other. The majority of the seating has been fixed so that it has a clear management structure within the restaurant.

Guests place their orders at a free-standing cash desk, which transports the order to an insulated preparation lab where containers are processed. The customer sits down and picks up the tray as soon as he is informed. The process avoids crowds and unnecessary waiting moments.

A photo of a Hawaiian fisherman from 1907 serves as a role model and inspires this concept. A man sits on a rock, wearing only the basic piece of clothing on his body, preparing his equipment to go out and hunt. We value intimacy, balance, and honesty in this situation.

The guest room conveys the idea of an intimate and meaningful experience. Two curvy concrete tables that complement each other attract the attention of the room. Inspired by the fisherman, Norwegian-cut granite stones and wooden logs provide seating. The table has a rough but nice surface and gives an idea of the terrazzo structure. Rocks of different colors add a natural and warm color palette to the interior.

Plastering the floors and walls captures the warm colors and creates a natural, earthy atmosphere. Linen curtains with custom suspension system, made of aluminum, nicely complement the seating position.

A stone, part of the restaurant's brand identity, slowly rotates in the window in the restaurant's most prominent spot. Handcrafted concrete applications with a rough texture go hand in hand with stainless steel kitchen tables that are separated from the guest room by large glass.