By Willy Wilson | Aug 21, 2009
Daikanyama – Cool The Japanese Way
Sandwiched in between Bukit Bintang and Jalan Raja Chulan, newly opened Japanese bar/restaurant Daikanyama is the prototype of creative refurbishment of an old building.
Renowned duo restaurateurs Colin Chung and Edwin Yau, known for their successful Wabisabi bar in TTDI area, teamed up to open a Japanese restaurant/bar in colonial shophouse row of Changkat Bukit Bintang last June. Designed by Lucas Lim, whose eclectic work in Palate Pallete bar has made him a household name, Daikanyama is the latest addition to the trendy neighbourhood’s many cool joints. Named after a lifestyle hub in downtown Tokyo, Daikanyama has a lot to live up to, if it were to channel the ‘cool’ feel of the famous district. “The challenge here is to infuse an urban Tokyo feel into this colonial shophouse, which was previously run as a Russian bar,” says Lim. Sophisticated, minimalist and every inch Japanese, Daikanyama is among the more well-conceptualised bar/restaurants in the vicinity. Over tasty food and great Sake, StarProperty chats with owner Chung and designer Lim about the secret behind the successful renovation.
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Modern & Warm
What is interesting about Daikanyama, apart from scrumptious Japanese delicacies and yummy Sake, is the combination of design elements that makes this rather tiny bar/restaurant is both modern and warm. These two attributes do not usually come together.
The vocal elements of the design are concrete cement and weathered woods. Without being too industrial or homey – thanks to the significant presence of glass barricade in both the exterior and interior that renders a polished and modern feel – Daikanyama is designed to please your eyes.
Starting from Daikanyama’s cool façade that consists of a vertical signboard, transparent kitchen and a small green frontier, to a row of dining tables in the main area and the Japanese garden encased in glass walls, your eyes will be amused by its minimalist Japanese arrangement.
“Let the eyes travel,” says Lim, “the passerby and the guests. The composition of element and materials here is meant to be inviting.”
But the most outstanding feature in this bar/restaurant has to be the mini Japanese garden next to the dining area. Although having a vacant space, encased in glass wall, inside a bar/restaurant might sound odd, it proves effective in accentuating an unparallel Japanese modern aesthetic.
As Chung puts it, “I like the idea of having a traditional Japanese garden in the restaurant, while putting a modern twist by framing it with transparent, glass walls.”
“Such eccentricity is the essence of Daikanyama district in Tokyo.”
“But both Chung and Yau are experimental enough to go with this plan,” Lim adds.
When asked about the secret for such perfect harmony, Lim says “If your definition of a modern design only includes steel, glass and concrete with grey hues, then you might as well live in the arctic where everything is made of ice.”
“But splash colours on the interiors, and experiment with neutral elements like weathered woods and greeneries, then you will get a warm feel without losing the cool essence,” he adds.
“Of course you have to be smart with the lightings too. Nothing brings out warm atmosphere better than soft ambiance lightings,” he says, while showing StarProperty the quirky lights installation hung on the ceiling at the smoking area.
Another interesting item that Lim points out is the long seat across the dining row, which is basically a juxtaposition of long pieces of woods, cleverly buckled with Japanese blanket that serves as cushions to the bare woods.
No Punctuation of Space
Here, Lim shares some of the most important things to create a broad feel to a small space.
“Aesthetic is not to be compromised,” Lim says, “You have to know how not to suffocate the space.”
“First, Focus on the windows,” he says. Being able to see outside to the wider spaces can, according to Lim, make the room feel more expansive. He maintains that a large transparent glass window would render a feeling of connection to everything that is seen through it.
“Better yet, arrange the furniture as much as possible to have your eyes travel to the windows. A smart way of doing it is to have greeneries near the window, so it immediately focuses one’s sight to it,” he says.
Our sight plays a crucial part in determining how we feel about a space. If a space is limited, Lim suggests you to create long lines and avoid too much clutter. Concentrating too many stuff on one end will ‘shrink’ the room as it will reduce the perception of the whole space.
“If your eyes can identify a line in between interior items in a room, it will seem like the room is longer,” he says, “I use that strategy for Daikanyama.”
Using tiles with simple motif and curtain with light material, combined with your favourite art and smart decoration, your house too should be as cool as Daikanyama.
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Daikanyama |
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03-21410323 |
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42, Changkat Bukit Bintang 50200 Kuala Lumpur |
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