JCFS architects suspends wooden trellises inside lisbon's 'ajitama' ramen bistro

situated in the center of lisbon, portugal, JCFS architects transports locals to the streets of tokyo with their design of ‘ajitama’ ramen bistro. created for two friends with a passion for the traditional japanese dish, the key concept behind the project focuses on one of the main ingredients of ramen – the ‘ajitama’, which is the name for the soft-boiled eggs that have been marinated for several hours in a homemade broth. 

image © fernando guerra – últimas reportagens

the restaurant occupies a space within a newly refurbished building dating back to the 20th century. benefiting from a prominent corner site, a neon façade has been introduced on the curved block to entice people in and evoke the notion of the brightly-lit streets of tokyo. once inside, the bistro features a large, rounded bar counter, where patrons can enjoy the traditional ramen on high stools. the rest of the interior is filled with dining tables and chairs in light and dark wood respectively, resulting in a very japanese aesthetic. 

with the concept in mind, the architects have strived to incorporate the core idea of the ‘ajitama’ throughout the interior, while also bringing a japanese atmosphere to the place. to achieve this goal, the design uses wooden trellises in the rounded shape of an egg, suspended from the ceiling, to represent the determination, precision, and organization of japanese culture. 

the large installations are also illuminated and help to define the entire interior space, framed by the dark colored planes of the floor, ceiling and walls. overall, by combining eastern tradition with western representation, JCFS forms a restaurant that is intended to be both fast, efficient and practical, yet upscale, comfortable and memorable.

project info:

project name: ‘ajitama ramen bistro’

program: restaurant

location: avenida duque de loulé, 36, lisbon, portugal

architect: JCFS architects

team: filipa castelão, jorge castelão, teresa sampaio e joão ferreira

client: parallelmarathon

year: 2019

size: 1292 ft2 (120 m2)

status: built

photography: fernando guerra – últimas reportagens

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: lynne myers | designboom