KAIDO is a new sushi bar designed by Mikiya Kobayashi, located in Valencia and open since last September. Its name, "Sea Road" in Japanese, reflects the natural environment of Valencia. Kobayashi, who is based not only in Tokyo but also in Valencia, wanted to represent the environment he felt in this town with objects specifically designed for the interior of the sushi bar. The ceiling is characterised by circular wooden panels to filter the spot lights.
"Valencia is sunny for about 300 days a year, and I wanted to express how the sunlight interacts with the sea surface and sways," says Kobayashi.
"When you look at the surface of the sea from underwater, the sunlight is diffused and split into innumerable lights, as if it comes not from just one sun but from many of them."
The finished space presents a minimal design composed of wood and black tiles from Valencia, but when going from the entrance to the counter seats, customers are surrounded by the warmth of the lamps and wooden furnitures, all designed by Kobayashi. This feeling expresses the concept of going from underwater to the warmer and brighter water surface, like the contrast between a darker place and the sunlight.
The wooden panels are manufactured by LZF, a lighting manufacturer based in Valencia.
The original wooden sheet used by LZF for their products was a perfect match for the concept Kobayashi had in mind and after discussing with KAIDO's owner Ulises Menezo, they agreed to collaborate for the development of the product.
Originally designed specifically for the restaurant, the decorative panels soon became a product in the company products lineup, as they could work well in many different environments.
Kobayashi named them SUNS, following the concept of KAIDO.
Available in three sizes, SUNS are characterised by a quiet, respectful and minimal sense of beauty. They are made using a circular wood veneer sheet, contained within a matt black steel frame. They can be used as singular decorative object as well as clusters, especially when meant for bigger or public spaces like restaurants or hotel halls.
The chairs used around the counter are the MAST CHAIR designed by Kobayashi for his own original lifestyle brand IMPLEMENTS and manufactured by Karimoku.
Kobayashi explains.
"After working with Karimoku for over 10 years, I have realised that the quality of their wooden furniture is exceptional even within Japanese manufacturers. In order to pursue the best ergonomics, they use the latest manufacturing technologies, such as measuring heart rate and brain waves to reflect them in sitting comfort. I wanted to have this chair made with such a special attention to let customers enjoy high quality sushi, a dish that symbolises Japan."
At KAIDO, launched by Ulises Menezo and Yoshikazu Yanome last September, you can taste authentic Japanese sushi carefully prepared with local ingredients.
