Mikuni Izukogen | Kengo Kuma and associates

Design Period: 2016.6 – 2018.9
Completion Date: 2019.8.26
Restaurant
200 m2 

Situated high atop a cliff on the Izu Peninsula, this restaurant overlooks Sagami Bay.
Throughout history, various methods of construction have been developed to mediate between architecture and the extremely complex topography of Japan. One of these methods, kakezukuri, uses supports to float the building out over a steep slope, as famously represented in Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto.
For this project, we produced a transparent kakezukuri using a hybrid wood-steel frame; supporting the roof with cypress planks spanning up to 11.4 meters. As a result, we were able to realize a cypress cloud materializing from the densely vegetated cliff.
In perfect harmony with the aroma of cypress emanating from the architecture, the chef, Mr. Kiyomi Mikuni, makes the best use of the natural ingredients of Izu in his cuisine.

Project team: Minoru Yokoo, Akio Saruta, Jenny Kwok, Ryuta Nomura, Kimio Suzuki 

Structure Engineer: Takayasu Konishi Structural Engineers
MEP Engineer: P.T.Morimura & Associates, Ltd.

© Photography by Kawasumi・Kobayashi Kenji Photograph Office