Restaurant details often evoke tradition and craft

Project Name: Katsuya Manhattan West, New York

The Client: SBE Entertainment Group, a hospitality company headquartered in Los Angeles.

 

What were the guiding principles for this project?
The design of Katsuya's Manhattan West location combines Japanese craft, architecture, and cultural references with contemporary Western restaurant design. Elements such as Kumiko wood joinery, urushi lacquer, shōji, wagara decorative patterns, kabuki theatre, torii and pagoda religious architecture, Sumi-e ink painting, and ukiyo-e "floating world" prints create a refined and theatrical atmosphere that honours both the past and present. Guests are invited to enter this immersive world upon entering the restaurant.

Design Firm Profile: Alex Gong, an associate at Rockwell Group, played a key role in the interior design of Katsuya as part of a team of six led by Greg Keffer, AIA. Rockwell Group is an international architecture and design company with offices in New York, Los Angeles, and Madrid. The firm, founded by David Rockwell, FAIA, is known for its innovative approach and commitment to excellence in every project. With a team of 300 professionals, Rockwell Group works to combine performance and design to create unique and memorable spaces around the world.

 

Consider scale and divvy up your main dining room.

In the interior dining rooms, we incorporated a maximalist style inspired by Japanese aesthetics. To create a more intimate atmosphere, we divided the 207-seat restaurant into three smaller dining rooms separated by portals inspired by traditional Japanese cloud and plume passageway forms. These double arc portals are finished with a red lacquer frame and end-grain wooden blocks treated with a red stain. The oak floor features a checkerboard pattern as a tribute to 18th-century kabuki actor Sanogawa Ichimatsu, who was known for his checkerboard-patterned costume.

Rely on materials to define a centre dining room.

The main dining room features a communal table with ribbed glass screens that have a blue-to-red ombre effect, reminiscent of the translucence of shoji paper. These screens are hung from black powder-coated metal bracings inspired by Japanese joinery and help to define the area. The table itself is finished with a red lacquer-like finish and is illuminated by a custom chandelier with a fluid, wave-like form reminiscent of Sumi-e ink. Overall, the combination of modern materials and traditional Japanese influences creates a unique and visually striking space.

Anchor spaces with key furniture or focal wallcoverings.

The north end of the dining room features Hollywood banquettes, which serve as the centrepiece of the space. The sushi bar's back wall features a custom wallcovering by Toronto-based Moss & Lam Studio, showcasing a kabuki theatre performer. The glass screen is etched on one side and has a reflective interior, adding to the intimate atmosphere of the restaurant.

Use the form to define interior space.

The indoor dining room on the side of the restaurant is designed for small to medium-sized groups. The walls are painted a cosy cream colour and the room is adorned with linen curtains on either side, creating a spacious and open atmosphere. The room features tables that can seat two, four, six, and eight people, as well as a robata grill. The arch at the end of the room is divided into smaller arches, creating several private dining booths. Hidden linear lights enhance the arches and give the dining room a warm and inviting ambience.

Create pockets of privacy.

The private dining room is a small, intimate space that accommodates only 10 people. It is located between the main dining area and the terrace. The main attraction of the room is a photograph by Erik Madigan Heck called "Without a Face 13." The room also features a checkerboard wood floor, wood panelling, and a red, fan-patterned wallcovering which give the space a cosy atmosphere.