GENETO designs BBQ style restaurant in kyoto with a vernacular flair

located in kyoto, japan, ‘yakiniku yazawa’ is a japanese BBQ style restaurant completed by architecture practice GENETO. following the client’s demand of creating a sense of ‘kyoto-ness’, the studio has focused on the local vernacular construction methods and materials to convey the ideal design. 

the front street resembles a traditional alley way and creates the perspective toward the entrance
all images © yasutake kondo

GENETO had an extensive look at the traditional industry in kyoto, and tried to bring in its vernacular elements to the contemporary restaurant space. to start with, the interior is simple and has an efficient composition — whereby the MISU(traditional bamboo blind) is used to separate the seats and create a big shared one, once rolled up. on the other hand, a YOSHIDO(traditional bamboo sliding door) is used for the entrance to the private room – offering a secluded quality whilst still sharing the same ambiance of the restaurant area. 

walking through, there are a couple of waiting areas that will be used as a bar space in summer

as for the YOSHIDO, its metal handle called HIKITE is a custom-order by the craftsman and integrates that ‘kyoto-ness’ which people can touch. the design technique is exactly like that of a ROJI(alley way), with the burned cedar creating the perspective towards the entrance. finally, the TSUBONIWA (traditional inner garden) view can be viewed from the VIP room, while the CHOZUBACHI(traditional wash-basin) is placed in front of the toilet — highlighting water sound.

the traditional store curtain, with the restaurant logo printed on it and hanged in front of the entrance door

the entrance includes a mobile artwork made with traditional textile that gives an accent to the space

the hall includes a traditional bamboo blind(MISU) that divides each seating zone

once the blinds are rolled up, visitors can have one big shared seat

the traditional bamboo blind dividing each seat 

VIP room, where customers gets a view of a traditional inner garden(TSUBONIWA) from inside

the door for each private room is designed as the traditional bamboo sliding door(YOSHIDO)

the metal handle of the sliding door is a custom-order by the traditional craftsman

the inside of the private room, where partitions separate  it into 4 zones 

the traditional wash-basin(CHOZUBACHI) is placed in front of the toilet

project info:

title: yakiniku yazawa
architect: GENETO
lighting design: spangle
structure: mitsuda structural consultants
fixture: eirakuya co., ltd. / kawachou/ nishi-zohen / hirata suiren shouten/ yoshida shouzokuten co.,ltd
art: takao kano/ takamura.sojiro / hattori gento / akihisa yamamoto＋koji yamanaka
construction: UEHARA
furniture: pivoto

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lea zeitoun | designboom