Floating sensation

It's based on an historical Japanese construction technique, but Kengo Kuma's Mikuni Izu Kogen restaurant still has a distinctly contemporary look

Designed by Kengo Kuma Architects, Mikuni Izu kogen black

The kakezukuri construction method uses supports to float black, brown

For this restaurant project, architects Kengo Kuma produced brown

The roof is supported with cypress planks spanning teal

Entrance to Mikuni Izu Kogen restaurant by architects brown

The roof structure construction technique at Mikuni Izu brown

Mikuni Izu kogen restaurant sits high on top brown

From the architects:

Designed by Kengo Kuma Architects, Mikuni Izu kogen restaurant sits high on top of a cliff on the Izu Peninsula in central Japan, and overlooks Sagami Bay to the south of Yokohama.

Throughout history, various methods of construction have been developed to mediate between architecture and the extremely complex topography of Japan.

One of these methods, kakezukuri, uses supports to float a building out over a steep slope, as seen in Kyoto's renowned Kiyomizu Temple.

For this restaurant project, we produced a transparent kakezukuri using a hybrid wood-steel frame, supporting the roof with cypress planks spanning up to 11.4m.

As a result, we created the effect of a cypress 'cloud' materialising from the densely vegetated cliff.

In perfect harmony with the aroma of cypress emanating from the architecture, the chef, Mr Kiyomi Mikuni, makes the best use of the natural ingredients of Izu in his cuisine.