Brief

Motto Azabu is situated within the historic Metropol Hotel building. Its name is a nod to Tokyo’s Azabu district, where local cuisine is elevated to a cultural ritual. The restaurant’s design embraces a classic Japanese style, masterfully evoking a sense of tranquility and harmony. It is characterized by a meticulous attention to detail, Japanese aesthetics and modern comfort.

 

Concept

S+S Studio (Sundukovy Sisters) developed a design founded on the fusion of Japanese minimalism and metropolitan elegance. The space is built on the contrast of simple forms and complex textures: wood, naturally finished stone, black metal and glass. The color palette is calm and organic, drawing inspiration from traditional Japanese interiors. The core principle is the innate beauty of the materials and a clear, purposeful spatial structure, free from superfluous decoration.

 

Layout

The restaurant occupies two levels.

The first floor features the main dining room, a bar area, a small private room, and the entrance. The lower level is dedicated to an intimate teppan space, where the chef prepares dishes in front of the guests. This area is finished in copper tones and white glass, and features video panels displaying cityscapes. These screens can be concealed behind movable wooden slats, allowing the ambiance and mood of the space to be adjusted.

Special attention was paid to lighting: soft, warm illumination makes the space feel cozy and visually expands the room. Mirrors and glass panels enhance the sense of depth while maintaining an intimate atmosphere.

 

Interior

The heart of the restaurant is the bar counter and open kitchen, which create the atmosphere of a culinary theater. The resulting interior is serene, thoughtfully composed and deeply tactile. Warm wood and natural stone foster a sense of comfort, while metal surfaces add a modern edge. Bas-reliefs and textured panels with intricate grooves bring the space to life. The bar ceiling, crafted from black metal, accentuates the geometry of the room.

Despite its compact footprint, the restaurant feels holistic and harmonious; every element serves a purpose. Every detail works in concert to cultivate the right mood – from the lightboxes with their soft, diffused glow, reminiscent of Japanese shoji screens, to the “bubble” chandelier, evoking fish roe, which cascades down from the first floor.

The dialogue between tradition and modernity is continued through two custom art pieces. For this project, Sergey Kuznetsov – an architect, artist, and city’s Chief Architect created two paintings inspired by Japanese aesthetics. These canvases will be rotated, revealing different facets of the space’s character to guests. Another key focal point is Tetsui Nagata’s bas-relief, made from rice paper and depicting three-dimensional fish. This piece creates a visual conversation between contemporary art and traditional craftsmanship.

 

Motto Azabu tells a story of how a Japanese philosophy of simplicity and respect for materials meets the context of a major metropolis. The concise forms, meticulous attention to detail and intelligent layout come together to create a space where gastronomy becomes an integral part of the visual and emotional experience.