A new Japanese restaurant is opening in downtown Lansing, Michigan. This is the site of an old restaurant that has been gutted and the front of house will be designed. The space includes a bar area, hostess stand with a waiting area, and indoor and outdoor seating.

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I chose to incorporate many natural elements into this design. Bamboo, a natural plant of Japan, is featured as countertop for the bar seating and stakes wrap around beams as an accent. Large glass doors help the interior seating space flow seamlessly into the exterior patio area, and a raised seating area separates larger parties from smaller. Greenery, such as a moss wall behind the bar, adds color and further brings nature into the space.

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This project included the most custom elements in my experience thus far. The bar is a custom design and the hostess stand reflects the same shape. The raised seating area includes custom railings surrounding the space to separate it as a secondary eating area. The glass doors to the patio seating are also custom and are my favorite part of the design, as they allow for plenty of natural light to brighten the indoor restaurant space. Finishes, furniture, and lighting fixtures were all chosen, and a lighting plan and restroom tile elevations were created as well.