kengo kuma combines the healing powers of bamboo with his fascination for woven structures in the design of the také restaurant. located in hong kong, ‘také’ – meaning bamboo in japanese – is built to resemble a grove, inviting diners into 488 sq.m space that looks more like a garden than a simple restaurant.

kengo kuma builds hong kong's také restaurant out of bamboo
image © kengo kuma & associates
(main image © virgile simon bertrand)

 

 

drawing from the old chinese story ‘the seven sages of the bamboo grove,’ where it was said that the grove had healing powers, kuma has designed a space that evokes the feeling of dining within a bamboo forest. used on every surface of také possible, including floors, walls, ceilings, windows, and furniture, the material offers visitors a haptic experience, while creating a warm and welcoming environment.

kengo kuma builds hong kong's také restaurant out of bamboo
image © kengo kuma & associates

kengo kuma builds hong kong's také restaurant out of bamboo
image © kengo kuma & associates

kengo kuma builds hong kong's také restaurant out of bamboo
image © virgile simon bertrand

kengo kuma builds hong kong's také restaurant entirely out of bamboo
image © kengo kuma & associates

kengo kuma builds hong kong's také restaurant entirely out of bamboo
image © virgile simon bertrand

kengo kuma builds hong kong's také restaurant entirely out of bamboo
image © kengo kuma & associates