Client Objectives: Great Space, Energy Elegance, High Cuisine in an Enjoyable Atmosphere

From the beginning of the project the client's objectives were clear. The main design goal was to transform an existing restaurant space into a unique Sushi Bar which directly related to the ownter and the customer. In order to achieve this transformation within a tight budget the design centered on highlighting the role of the sushi chef. The suspended fish sculpture looking down at the bar area portrays the essence and elegance associated with sushi. Bright colors create spatial zones guiding the eye through the larger context of the restaurant. For hues of green create an illustration of tranquility in nature while remaining indoors. The design results can be summarized by the following excerpt from the City Weekly:

“From the moment you walk into Takashi, you know you're in for a treat. The restaurant is housed in building on Market Street that previously was home to Au Bon Appetit. Gone are the Parisian streetlamps and French boulevards; Takashi and his partner-wife Tamara knocked down walls and created a very modern, energetic space. A metal fish sculpture the size of a dirigible hangs over the sushi bar, where avocado-colored walls combine with gorgeous oranges, pinks and yellows to create a vibrant atmosphere – one that is an ocean apart from the tatami mats and rice paper walls of more traditional Japanese restaurants. The place just buzzes with color and energy. Which also means that it can get a bit noisy. That's OK; it's an indication that people at Takashi are having fun” – From City Weekly Dining Raw! Raw! Raw! July 8, 2004 by Ted Scheffler