OZU in Los Angeles by ANX / Aaron Neubert Architects, Inc.

Article source: ANX / Aaron Neubert Architects, Inc.

OZU East Kitchen, located in the Atwater Village neighborhood of Los Angeles, is the prototype and initial brand identity for a suite of restaurants focusing on Japanese and Korean influenced cuisine served in a fast-casual environment. Inspired by the technical craftsmanship and narrative clarity of the art of legendary Japanese filmmaker Yasujiro Ozu, the restaurant design is a study in the potential of a minimal yet visually and materially rich palette to generate an immersive and socially dynamic environment.

Image Courtesy © Alen Lin

• Architects: ANX / Aaron Neubert Architects, Inc.
• Project: OZU
• Location: Atwater Village Neighborhood , Los Angeles, California, USA
• Photography: Alen Lin
• Project Team: Aaron Neubert (Principal), Jeremy Limsenben (Project Architect), Xiran Zhang, Jina Seo, David Chong
• Structural Engineer: FJ Engineering + Design
• Expediting and MEP Engineer: FE Design & Consulting
• General Contractor: Mandoyan Construction Company
• Steel Fabrication: CWI/Fred Vasquez
• Millwork Fabrication: Dan Taron

Image Courtesy © Alen Lin

The interior experience is delineated by three horizontal spatial zones. The lower zone contains the furnishings occupants physically interact with – warm in color and texture. The middle zone is painted white and free of visual clutter to emphasize the conversational space and interaction between seated occupants. The upper zone – consisting of the transition between the white walls and the dark gray ceiling – creates the mood and develops a detailed visual landscape while occupants are standing and circulating within the restaurant. The intentional misalignment between these three zones within the composition is utilized to continuously reposition the occupant’s orientation within the space, omitting the standard transitions commonly utilized and rendering the environment provisional in nature.

Image Courtesy © Alen Lin

Image Courtesy © Alen Lin

The interior experience is delineated by three horizontal spatial zones. The lower zone contains the furnishings occupants physically interact with – warm in color and texture. The middle zone is painted white and free of visual clutter to emphasize the conversational space and interaction between seated occupants. The upper zone – consisting of the transition between the white walls and the dark gray ceiling – creates the mood and develops a detailed visual landscape while occupants are standing and circulating within the restaurant. The intentional misalignment between these three zones within the composition is utilized to continuously reposition the occupant’s orientation within the space, omitting the standard transitions commonly utilized and rendering the environment provisional in nature.

Image Courtesy © Alen Lin

Image Courtesy © Alen Lin

Image Courtesy © Alen Lin

Image Courtesy © Alen Lin

Image Courtesy © Alen Lin

Image Courtesy © Alen Lin

Image Courtesy © ANX / Aaron Neubert Architects, Inc.

Image Courtesy © ANX / Aaron Neubert Architects, Inc.

Image Courtesy © ANX / Aaron Neubert Architects, Inc.

Image Courtesy © ANX / Aaron Neubert Architects, Inc.

Tags: California, USA

Categories: Interiors, Kitchen, Restaurant

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