The project explores the transformation of a six-meter-height square volume into a restaurant for Korean cuisine. Rather than treating height as a dimension, the design embraces verticality as a spatial device to evoke a Korean atmosphere. Within this singular volume, the dining hall and the bar are carefully distinguished, responding to the client’s request while maintaining a cohesive spatial narrative.

The spatial atmosphere is first shaped by a ceiling system of louvers composed through the interplay of vertical and horizontal elements. Extending across the space in all directions, the louvers articulate the grandeur of the six-metre height while introducing subtle variations in ceiling height that naturally distinguish the dining hall from the bar area. Configured in two contrasting thicknesses, the louvers establish a rhythmic composition that balances visual weight and lightness, forming a pattern reminiscent of Korean sensibilities and creating a setting well suited to Korean cuisine. In terms of layout, the bar and working areas are conceived as a unified spatial stage, positioned prominently to face the dining hall. This theatre-like arrangement reflects the client’s desire for close and open interaction between staff and guests, while careful adjustments to the spatial buffer and table placement between the hall and the bar minimise interference among diners. Set against walls finished in so-saek, a traditional Korean off-white tone, the contrast between light and shadow within the natural wood introduces a sense of familiarity and comfort, while maintaining spatial vitality. Substantial, grounded furniture paired with quiet, restrained lighting completes the interior, cultivating a warm and generous atmosphere that resonates with the spirit of Korean dining.

Throughout the project, greater attention was given to the ‘space above one’s head’ than to the ‘ground beneath one’s feet’. RKY hopes that this approach offers a considered response, transforming height into spatial experience.