UENOA installs transformable triangular table system in tokyo dining space

underground dining area by UENOA

Japanese architecture firm UENOA has renovated the basement of an 80-year-old construction company in Sendagaya, Tokyo. The space was redesigned to serve as a dining area with distinct triangular tables that allow for a flexible interior configuration. The renovated floor operates as the company cafeteria on weekdays, and as an in-house meeting room or a community event space at other times.

all images courtesy of nacasa & partners/UENOA

more than just a triangular table

Upon observing the angular plan of the basement, the team at UENOA (find more here) got the idea to install a large triangular table within the refurbished interior. The table can be divided into smaller ones, which can then be positioned in many different ways, responding to a wide range of needs and scenarios. By going beyond its function as a piece of furniture and incorporating its size and randomness into the space, the table becomes a significant design element that characterizes the entire project. It is used in a non-uniform way itself and is expressed as a landscape with fun and movement.

In addition, by using these angular tables, it’s easier for people to sit face to face, have eye contact, and engage in more intimate conversations. The goal for the overall design was to create an environment that would be familiar to all employees and would encourage them to interact more.

materiality and colors

Featuring a limited color palette, the project adopts a minimalist character while concrete and wood serve as its main materials. The grey walls and the exposed pipes on the ceiling give a raw aesthetic to the basement interior, which is further accentuated by the lack of natural light. However, the wooden tables, the glossy tiles in the kitchen, and the multi-colored chairs add a touch of warmth to the cafeteria, making the entire space more cozy and comfortable.

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project info:

name: restaurant in Sendagaya
architecture firm: UENOA architects
lead architects: Yoshinori Hasegawa, Fumie Horikoshi
location: Tokyo, Japan
area: 78 sqm