- Project: Aumann Japanese Cuisine
- Architect: FUNUN LAB
- Location: China, Beijing
- Year: 2023
- Area: 292 m2
- Photography: ICY CYWORKS
Context and Design Philosophy
Located in Beijing’s CBD, Aumann Japanese Cuisine by FUNUN LAB is more than a restaurant—it is a spatial interpretation of monoaware, the Japanese aesthetic of sensitivity to transient beauty. Inspired by Kyoto’s shrines, temples, gardens, and traditional art, the design creates a setting where food, space, and culture converge into an immersive sensory journey.
The project draws on Aumann’s culinary heritage, rooted in Kansai grilling techniques, and translates its authenticity into spatial storytelling. Guests are invited to experience not only the flavors of traditional Japanese cuisine but also the cultural spirit that defines it.
Scenic Context: Light, Reflection, and Atmosphere
The entrance lobby introduces visitors to a serene atmosphere, marked by a golden ceiling installation crafted with Kyoto’s traditional forging techniques. Evocative of Kinkaku-ji’s shimmering reflection, the minimalist form reimagines the iconic temple as an ethereal silhouette.
Opposite the lobby, an open kitchen allows diners to observe chefs preparing grilled eel over a portable hearth. Fire and aroma connect directly with the golden installation, weaving together the culinary and spatial experience into a dialogue of senses.
Physical Context: Pathways of Kyoto
The layout references Kyoto’s intricate alleyways, with spatial rhythms that shift from lively open spaces to intimate retreats. Corridors control movement with deliberate proportions—sometimes narrow for solitude, sometimes wide enough for shared passage. This sequence creates an ebb and flow that mirrors the mysterious beauty of yūgen, an essential aspect of Japanese aesthetics.
The restaurant is shielded by a bamboo courtyard, cutting off the city’s noise and forming a secluded dining world. Inside, dimly lit interiors and floor-to-ceiling glazing dissolve the boundary between the culinary act and the natural environment, enhancing the emotional resonance of the dining experience.
Mental Context: Cultural Symbols and Playfulness
The design refrains from literal reproduction of traditional Japanese architecture. Instead, vertical wooden lattices, paper-inspired surfaces, and bespoke artworks distill cultural spirit into a contemporary language.
Highlights include:
-
Daruma sculpture installation: a whimsical stack of five dolls animates the corridor, breaking formality and adding playfulness.
-
Custom sculptures in private rooms: depicting cats enjoying rural festivities, they merge nostalgia with humor.
-
Paper elements: translucent DuPont paper screens, botanical foregrounds, and wallpapers with traditional motifs create layered depth and subtle shifts in light.
These elements resonate with monoaware, reminding guests of the fleeting beauty of moments and the importance of mindful appreciation.
A Monoaware Dining Experience
Ultimately, Aumann Japanese Cuisine embodies a harmonious dialogue between food and space. By integrating Kyoto’s cultural icons with modern design, FUNUN LAB created a restaurant that transcends typical dining. Here, every detail—from grilled eel to golden light—echoes the essence of monoaware, offering an experience that is both profoundly cultural and sensorially rich.
Drawings
