Ryuko Restaurant
A refined fusion of Japanese tradition and Calgary character, Ryuko reimagined through functional elegance and innovative craft.
Location 1004 14th Steet SW, Beltline, Calgary
Size 3,084 sq. ft
Status Under Construction
Status Under Construction
Ryuko’s identity is rooted in craft, thoughtful technique, and precise detail. Their menu balances Japanese tradition with a modern approach; an ethos that guided the interior design of their new restaurant.
A composition of pertinent kanji character such as 龍 (dragon), 虎 (tiger), and 和 (harmony), reference Ryuko’s core themes , and come together to form a larger, unified composition. The signage concept is built around the idea of the “sign of signs,” inspired by Tokyo’s vibrant and diverse visual landscape of signboards in glowing colorwaves.
At the heart of the space, a large, curving bar anchors the layout, guiding movement and creating a central gathering point, evoking the compression and curves of Tokyo’s network of alleyways.
To create the ‘sign of signs’, an image was translated into a parametric mesh by sampling the brightness values of the chosen kanji characters. Each character corresponds to a small area of the original image, its visual weight driving which kanji fills the space. Using an image sampler in Grasshopper, the brightness values were used to control which kanji filled each square, resulting in an image made of kanji.
龍 - dragon
虎 - tiger
魚 - fish
和 - harmony
口 - mouth
青 - blue
Large-scale graphics are integrated at key thresholds as visual anchors that connect the interior design with Ryuko’s identity, uniquely defining spaces throughout the restaurant with individual identities without strictly dividing them.
Ryuko’s design embraces porosity. Boundaries between interior and exterior are softened by layers of light, signage, and framed openings, evoking the visual density of Tokyo storefronts. Continuity between the streetscape and interior design is encouraged. The floor is patterned with the same dragon and tiger graphics from Ryuko’s branding in a stark white paint, harnessing a bold visual identity that recalls the clarity and energy of Tokyo’s iconic street crossings. This continuity of street elements from outside to in blurs the boundary between Ryuko’s interior and the streets of 10th avenue just outside. A distinct ceiling grid rests above, and contrasts the floor with a different structural rhythm where paper lanterns can be hung, casting pools of light and defining seating zones.
The cafe’s design language distinguishes itself from the rest of the restaurant. Wrapped canvas panels stretch overhead like suspended noren curtains. Alternating with openings of light, these soft canopies provide gentle enclosure and warmth, referencing both traditional textiles and the intimate bustle of marketplace stalls in a warm colour palette.
Ryuko’s interior invites closer inspection, revealing a collaged palette of warm materials: tiled surfaces, natural wood, printed canvas, and layered signage. These textures repeat across the space, offering contrast and calm in equal measure. Like each item in a bento box, every material creates a sense of order within its complete whole.
