A new restaurant designed by Berlin-based practice VAUST Studio addresses to the post-pandemic situation by creating separate seating areas divided by linen curtains inside. 

Located in Berlin, Germany, the 120-square-metre restaurant, named JIGI Poke Restaurant, features warm and natural color palette to offer an earthy atmosphere for its customers. 

The interiors contain two curvy chamfered tables, wooden and stone seats, which gives the space like a sense of "a fish market hall scenery".

Drawn in an irregular plan layout, the studio aimed to design a Poke restaurant, then the team decided to free the concept from what is already known. 

"This project is about re-evaluating the ideas of how hospitality is organized in times of a pandemic," said VAUST Studio. 

"We strongly reduced the number of possible guests taking a seat at the same time and increased the distances of people sitting across from each other. The majority of the seats are fixed to have a clear management structure within the restaurant."

When the guests arrive, they are placing their orders at a free-standing cash desk, which transfers the task to an isolated preparation lab where the bowls are processed. 

To avoid unnecessary crowds and waiting moments, the space was designed to direct the customer to take a seat and pick up the tray once being informed to do so. 

For design, the architects are inspired by a photograph of a Hawaiian fisherman from the year 1907, it functions as a role model and gave inspiration for the concept. 

"A man sitting on a rock with just the very essential bit of clothing on his body is preparing his gear to go out and hunt." The studio observed the intimacy, balance, and honesty of this situation in the photograph. 

The guest room transforms the idea of an intimate and meaningful experience. By adding two curvy concrete tables that complement each other, this captures the room's center attention. 

Inspired by the fisherman, the team use cut-off granite stones from Norway and wooden stumps presenting the possibility to take a seat. 

While the table has a rough feature yet pleasant surface, it gives the idea of a terrazzo structure. Boulders of different colorways add a natural and warm color palette to the interior.

The floor and wall are plastered with warm tones and give a natural and earthy atmosphere. Linen curtains are added for a bespoke solution via a hanging system, made of aluminum, complete the seating situation gently. 

"A stone, which is part of the restaurant's corporate identity, slowly spins in the window at the most prominent place of the restaurant," the studio added. 

The design team also used hand-crafted concrete applications with a rough texture go hand in hand with stainless steel kitchen counters which are separated from the guest room through a large glass.

The inside of these given spaces is reminiscent of a fish market hall scenery with its steel and tile surfaces.

Floor plan

Project facts

Project name: JIGI Poke Restaurant

Architects: VAUST Studio

Location: Berlin, Germany

Size: 120m2

Date: 2021

All images © Robert Rieger

Drawing © VAUST Studio

> via VAUST Studio