Itoman Gyomin Shokudo is a new restaurant that supports and promotes the local tradition and culture of Japan with its highly-stylistic 'masonry craftsmanship'-reflected onto its architecture and cuisine. Designed by Yamazaki Kentaro Design Workshop, the low-rise structure was built by being used a local Ryukyu limestone, which was covered in the whole facade of the building. 

This local restaurant, located in Itoman, was constructed as part of a "masonry workshop" organized by the project collaborators. The fishermen in Itoman often constructed their own fishery grounds by hand using Ryukyu limestone. 

For this reason, the studio adopted the traditional construction method of "Nozura-Zatsuzumi" to construct the facade with the help of local workshop participants. Using the techniques of their ancestors they have imbued the structure with the pride and love of fishermen.

The restaurant seating is raised from the ground level and creates a spatial balance with the sunken gardens that surround it. The single-slab flat roof on top of the facade functions to shield the interior from the hot Okinawa sun while the wind passes freely through the interior. 

By choosing to make the roof from a single panel, we hope the restaurant becomes a landmark in the area and contributes to a generous landscape rooted in the culture of Itoman, Okinawa.

Project Facts

Architect: Yamazaki Kentaro Design Workshop

Location: Itoman-shi, Okinawa, JAPAN
Site Area: 473.49 sqm
Floor Area: 83.78 sqm
Principle use: Restaurant
Structure: RC (partly wooden)
Story: 1F

Project Manager: nano-associates Co.,Ltd.
Food Direction: ASD / Ryuji Tabata, Takayuki Tabata
Structural Design: Ryuji Tabata, Takayuki Tabata
Landscape Design: Takio Inada
Graphic Design: Isabella Testai

All images © Nahoko Koide, Wataru Oshiro

> via Yamazaki Kentaro Design Workshop