Chaos Theory: Using innovative modern construction techniques, this restaurant brings clarity and calm to Japanese chaos - Ho Chin Ro restaurant, Tokyo - Brief Article

Architectural Review, The, Dec, 2001

The Ho Chin Ro Chinese restaurant makes a wonderfully clear statement in a very messy street in downtown Kawasaki-shi, near Tokyo. The site was very tight, with a building at the back, as well as each side, and the owner wanted to achieve as much internal clear space as possible.

So the architects came up with the idea of creating the shell out of prefabricated rusted steel panels. Each panel is 2000mm wide, 8000mm long and 115 mm thick and each is stiffened with H-shaped steel members welded to the sheets. It was put up in two days by a small gang of builders working with a crane, but without scaffolding. Simplicity of structure was echoed in planning and handling of finishes. You can see the whole public space through the big planar glass window that rises from pavement to roof on the street side. Downstairs are tables for small groups, and on the balcony are relatively larger and more formal meals. Behind the dining area at this level is the tatami room, over which is a terrace reached by a straight stair.

The jury was impressed by the clarity and simplicity of the project, qualities carried through into all aspects of its execution.