We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Fabio Su about their original and creative Restaurant design work. Fabio Su is an award-winning architectural designer, that makes our world a better place with their original restaurant works.
Fabio Su ("FS") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Ukiyoe Restaurant. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
FS : This project is located in Chiayi City, Taiwan, and is a Japanese conveyor belt sushi restaurant. The design inspiration comes from the fusion of local culture and Japanese catering spirit. We retain the original Japanese architectural vocabulary and use "local, sustainable, and eco-friendly" as the core design principles to create a dining space with both cultural depth and contemporary feel. The spatial concept is based on the Alishan forestry settlement, borrowing local natural and cultural elements, such as log texture, mountain imagery, and bamboo structure vocabulary, to transform the forest memory of Alishan into spatial language. At the same time, it integrates the spirit of Japanese craftsmen and food culture, and creates a quiet and balanced sensory experience through simple and neat lines, blank space, and light and shadow rhythm. The overall design not only focuses on the presentation of beauty and atmosphere, but also emphasizes the thinking of symbiosis with the environment, using sustainable materials and low-energy construction methods, hoping to create a dining space that is both rich in cultural heritage and contemporary spirit.
FS : The primary focus of this project was the revitalization of an abandoned building and the creation of a culturally immersive dining space. Our goal was to preserve the historical memory of the original Japanese-era architecture while infusing it with modern functionality and a brand-aligned aesthetic. By retaining the building’s main structure and reinforcing it with steel supports, we transformed a deteriorated space into a sustainable and safe sushi restaurant with rich cultural depth. The design centers around the concepts of local identity, sustainability, and eco-friendliness. The exterior incorporates wood-grain aluminum louvers to abstractly represent the iconic Alishan mountain range, while the interior draws from traditional Japanese art, including Ukiyo-e motifs, to express the essence of Japanese culinary culture. To enhance interaction and user experience, a double-track conveyor system brings chefs closer to guests, while semi-transparent partitions and natural materials foster a warm and open dining atmosphere. This project represents a balanced integration of culture, history, and technical innovation, and a tangible response to local and sustainable values.
FS : Because of winning this award, I will be better able to use my own knowledge to come back to social, and pass my experience on people who endeavor in the field of design.
FS : The project design started in June 2018, completed in December 25, 2019 in Chiayi City, Taiwan
FS : I like the opus with streak and combines with local culture.
FS : My design is not used by another company, I intent to produce my work by myself.
FS : I think when you meet the client who is trust in you 100%. It’s the time you should display your design ability. This is the reason pushing me to create this opus.
FS : Carlos Páez Vilaro from Paraguay is the one who influence me the most. As an artist and designer, he perfectly makes aesthetics in harmony with nature. This is also my goal.
FS : This design is a restaurant
FS : Unlike conventional commercial or Japanese-themed restaurants, this project stands out through its fusion of local history, natural landscapes, and Japanese culinary culture, with adaptive reuse of an abandoned structure at its core. Instead of imitating Japanese aesthetics superficially, we preserved the authentic traces of the existing building and translated regional elements—such as the mountainous silhouette of Alishan, forestry heritage, raw materials, and Ukiyo-e art—into a rich spatial narrative. One key differentiator is the interactive double-track conveyor system, which brings chefs closer to guests and encourages engagement. The layout avoids the rigid, back-of-house separation commonly found in traditional sushi restaurants, opting instead for an open, participatory atmosphere enhanced by semi-transparent zoning and thoughtfully layered lighting. Moreover, all material choices and construction strategies reflect our focus on sustainability and local relevance. The use of unprocessed cypress, exposed steelwork, and natural finishes reduces environmental impact while preserving architectural honesty. The result is a dining space that is not only functional but also emotionally resonant and deeply rooted in its cultural and ecological context.
FS : The name of this project is a tribute to both local nature and cultural memory. Inspired by the iconic Alishan mountain range in Chiayi, Taiwan, the name reflects the region’s geographic identity and forestry heritage. It also resonates with the architectural language—wood-textured aluminum louvers outlining mountain forms on the building’s façade. This name not only represents the physical landscape but also symbolizes the connection between nature, culture, and architecture. We intended for the name to evoke the feeling of a restaurant that has grown organically from the land—not simply a newly constructed commercial venue, but a space that coexists with its surroundings and speaks to its historical context. The name complements the preservation of the original Japanese-era building and the integration of Ukiyo-e art within the interior, reinforcing the blend of local spirit and Japanese culinary culture. Through this naming, we aim to immediately convey the narrative and cultural depth of the space, allowing guests to connect with the story behind the experience even before stepping inside.
FS : Cypress wood, granite skin, night pearl antique surface, incense fir, H-shaped steel, wood grain aluminum grille, Ukiyo-e output map, wood grain brick, rust plate, cola stone
FS : To reflect the local culture and natural landscape, the exterior of the building uses a wood grain aluminum louvers to outline the shape of Alishan mountain, while the interior part retains the building during the Japanese occupation period and plenty of materials. To emphasize the cultural background of conveyor belt sushi, Japanese cuisine and the deliciousness of the ingredients, the most representative "Ukiyo-e" wallpaper is stretched along the space, reappearing bustling scene of Edo period.
FS : Without doubt, I collaborate with people with specialized skills, this is one of important part in complete this design.
FS : Technology plays a supportive yet vital role in this project, particularly in three key areas: structural reinforcement, MEP integration, and smart spatial flow. The original building, a deteriorated Japanese-era structure, lacked sufficient load-bearing capacity. Through advanced techniques—such as H-beam reinforcement, custom steel jointing, and modern material fusion—we significantly improved the safety and stability of the building, enabling its adaptive reuse. All mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems were reconfigured from scratch. Energy-efficient appliances and motion-sensor lighting were installed to optimize operational sustainability and reduce energy consumption. In the dining experience itself, the double-track sushi conveyor system is a blend of mechanical precision and human interaction, allowing chefs to serve guests more efficiently while maintaining a sense of intimacy and engagement. Rather than dominating the design, technology in this project functions as an invisible enabler—enhancing sustainability, functionality, and guest experience without compromising the space’s cultural or aesthetic identity.
FS : How to regenerate existing an abandoned old building and inject fashion elements into it with both functionality and traditional style. Make the work conform to the main spirit of its brand, for the research purpose of this case.
FS : The original site was an abandoned old building, lacking of bearing capacity, we retains the main body of the building and uses reinforcement methods. Local beams and columns are fixed with irons while the entire structure becomes stronger by using H-shaped steel. All the pipelines are reconfigured, breaking away the conventional Japanese-style architecture and successfully bringing out the unique features.
FS : By submitting my design to an international design competition, I want to enhance my abilities, and to push my design to the international.
FS : Keep taking challenges and never restrict yourself. The most important is having enthusiasm.
FS : A great designer has heavy duties of society and environment. An excellent technique can treat nature well and a great idea is the best social education.
