Tranquil Japanese Restaurant Kanizen Opens in Hong Kong

Realised by Alfred Lam of Studio1618, contemporary Japanese restaurant Kanizen is a minimalist, tranquil space where a series of spaces are designed to connect diners with nature. We spoke with Lam about the process of layering contemporary touches and custom-designed pieces over classic Japanese references

Design Anthology : What was the client’s brief to you for Kanizen? 

Alfred Lam: The client is actually an old friend of mine. Kanizen used to be in Wan Chai, so this is the second version of the restaurant in Hong Kong. For this space, the client gave us a simple brief: design a Japanese restaurant in accordance with the current COVID social distancing rules. So, ideas of enclosure and privacy became central themes of our design concept.

Where is the bar/restaurant/cafe?

The restaurant is located in the upscale Lee Garden One in Causeway Bay, one of the busiest neighbourhoods in Hong Kong, meaning there’s a steady flow of people through the mall.

How did you approach the project — what design references or narrative did you try to incorporate into the space?

I have a deep respect for tradition but am not constrained by it. At Kanizen, I’ve retained the essence of Japanese minimalism, but added contemporary layering to create a new experience of Japanese dining.

In planning the 270-square-metre restaurant, I observed the Japanese practice of creating a sequence of subtly divided spaces. I designed the entrance to extend beyond the reception as a contemporary interpretation of a genkan, the traditional Japanese entryway. En route to the dining area and three private dining rooms, guests pass an ornamental Podocarpus tree, a rock garden and, since crab cuisine is Kanizen’s specialty, a contemporary crab pond.

Please tell us a little about the material choices for the space.

To create a sense of privacy and atmosphere, we chose natural materials that reference Japanese design sensibilities, including glass and honey-hued wood. We also used a mixture of modern elements like soft pistachio green leather alongside grey marble and brushed bass to create a subtle contrast that shows how heritage and design can beautifully complement each other.

Please tell us about some of the custom pieces for the space.

We custom made the geometric lattice panel partitions and the brass-rimmed screens with semi-transparent fluted green glass that divide the booths and private dining rooms. These reflect the importance of transitions and views in Japanese architecture and allow noise reduction, as well as create privacy without blocking light.

Do you have a favourite element or design detail in interiors?

A highlight is the seven-metre-long strip of hand-painted wallpaper that runs along the wall above each banquette. It’s a landscape painting in rich aqua green, ink blue and saffron yellow, overlaid with the geometry of the latticework. The combination is a modern take on Japanese screens and creates a sense of drama in the space.

What other features are you most excited about?

Another exciting feature is the richly hued jagged mountain artwork at the far end of the dining room. The inspiration behind the work comes from the behaviour of crabs, symbolising Kanizen’s specialty, to climb up to higher ground — and the peaks and colours add a sense of depth to the space.

Images / Edmon Leong