Kioku: A cross-cultural fusion of Japanese and Spanish design

Studio Pirajean Lees has brought a refined and evocative vision to Kioku, the new sushi restaurant and sake bar located within London’s Grade II*-listed Old War Office (OWO). Paying homage to the Japanese notion of “memory,” the design reflects the personal recollections of sushi master Endo Kazutoshi, drawing inspiration from his experiences living and working in both Japan and Spain.

GALLERY  

The space is split between a ground-floor bar and an upstairs restaurant, each designed to immerse guests in a story of craftsmanship and cultural fusion. The bar, entered through a door framed by smooth timber joinery, welcomes visitors into an intimate setting. The joinery is informed by the traditional Japanese carpentry technique, Sashimono, while the décor is enriched with Spanish influences. Handcrafted oxblood tiles and a gridded carpet, along with deep red dado and natural clay walls, nod to the vivid colours and textures of Spanish design, providing a subtle yet powerful contrast to the Japanese elements.

Key to the bar’s design is the bespoke oak reception desk, which features embroidered floral textiles and mesh detailing, and the light-controlled sake cellar, encased in patchwork cork panels. “We share a passion for storytelling and an obsession with details,” said James Lees, co-founder of Pirajean Lees. This philosophy is evident in the custom-made furniture, which includes carefully considered elements such as the design of the bar, with its knobbly timber cladding and subtly stepped floor plan to create elevated views for guests.

In a unique touch, a bespoke turntable in the corner allows guests to play a selection of Japanese records from Endo’s personal collection, enhancing the atmosphere with an auditory connection to the space’s cultural roots.

The upper-level restaurant is equally thoughtful in its design, with timber double doors leading into a long room with panoramic views of London. The interior features wooden frames and boxy mirrored portals that separate spaces, while L-shaped banquettes and oak dining chairs upholstered in Japanese embroidered silk complete the look. Bow motifs carved into the chairs reference the seating Endo favoured in Yokohama, while similar subtle details are echoed throughout the bar’s wooden tables.

Pirajean Lees has also crafted a private dining room, complete with a chef’s table and a terrace overlooking the hotel’s central courtyard. The intimate setting is capped off with a striking yellow rug in the circular floor of the private dining room, referencing the sun, while the ceiling is hand-painted with an inky indigo mural by British artist Tess Newall, alluding to the moon. This intricate design aims to evoke a sense of emotional connection, as Clémence Pirajean, co-founder of Pirajean Lees, reflects: “We design to create emotional spaces grounded in their story.”

In every corner, Kioku is a sensory experience, blending Japanese and Spanish aesthetics in a truly unforgettable way.

Images by Polly Tootal via Dezeen

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