HANA BENTO RESTAURANT / PARAMETERIZATION and MODULARITY
The client wanted to develop an architectural identity for its new Japanese organic restaurants chain. The usual pattern for this type of "chain" project is to format everything, to reduce the random phenomena, and to standardize spaces as much as possible. The idea proposed for Hana Bento was to imagine a fluid architectural language, the variables of which would allow a true adaptation to the various configurations, and the creation of different atmospheres, while marking a recognizable visual identity for the future chain of restaurants. The tool thus developed, could be adapted to any space, in order to limit the quantity of works while settling the distinctive style of Hana Bento.
Inspired by traditional Japanese architecture, a system of birch plywood strips 2cm wide, separated by 4cm of void, helps to maintain an aesthetic coherence between the restaurants, while offering a great freedom of creation to characterize the Different spaces. The dimensions of the solid and the vacuum, in systematic alternation of 2cm and 4cm, are fixed, as well as the material; But thanks to the play on the depth of the slats, the geometry of the shapes and their layout on the wall, floor or ceiling, this device can be transformed into seating, separating walls, lightbreaks, storage ... Or even camouflaged door. While being easily recognizable, each Hana Bento restaurant has its own architecture, setting out the different configurations of premises.