Ten Japanese Restaurant

Charlottesville, 2006

From the dark street, faintly shimmering lights beckon you upstairs. Inside, you are transported...to another world. This was the challenge posed in the design brief for Ten, a sophisticated Japanese restaurant. The space is divided into night and day. In its front room, ceiling panels reflect light to evoke a starry sky and sense of endless space. In the day area, inspired by clouds, iridescent fabric highlights banquette seating, and the sushi bar appears as a clean white box. Transporting its customers, Ten has been operating at capacity since opening.