Page 76 - Lighting Magazine September 2018

coMMercial project
Suspended hand- painted panels bring a dynamic visual to the space.
The exterior of the restaurant, from typography to the illuminated panel above the doorway underscores the Asian fusion theme.
statement. Guests should feel as though the de- sign and food were created in tandem.
Akira Back’s contemporary style fuses Korean avors into Japanese cuisine. This inspired our modern interpretation of traditional Japanese ele- ments such as the charred Shou Sugi Ban-inspired walls and the destination sushi bar which we en- cased in a glowing gold nish that’s illuminated by hidden backlighting.
EM: What other lighting was utilized?
AM: Akira Back’s lighting program features Eurolite pendants to illuminate our round banque es and sushi bar; Tom Dixon pendants, which hang over the washroom vanities; and wall sconces that were fabricated by Toronto-based Anony Studio and designed by our in-house industrial design team. Strip lighting was also applied throughout.
Lighting played a critical role in accentuating the restaurant’s artistic details and dramatizing its bold contrasts. We purposefully controlled the lighting to lead guests through Akira Back in a way that would highlight our custom nishes.
The integrated cove lighting in the staircase re ects textured gold leaf; the pendants shine a spotlight onto leathered marble tabletops to reveal dimension;
the wall sconces illuminate vividly expressive stone columns; and the backlighting wrapped around the golden sushi bar causes the metallic nish to perme- ate into the main dining space. Without these key lighting elements, Akira Back would not have the same impact that it does today.
EM: What is the restaurant’s best feature?
AM: The cove ceiling. It has a profound impact on the restaurant’s overall character. The ceiling is canvassed with abstract petals in various shades of indigo that frame a twisted, suspended mobile. Adding to the design, the hanging sculpture fea- tures a hand-painted watercolor print from Chef’s mother — one of her many appearances through- out the restaurant.
EM: What’s next for Studio Munge?
AM: I get excited thinking about our future! Studio Munge has evolved with such a talented team and the opportunities are endless. In the coming years, you’ll see several landmark projects come to life. We’ll be opening the rst fully integrated Nobu Hotel & Residences and Restaurant in the heart of Toronto; a Park Hya Hotel in Los Angeles; as well as a Shangri-La Hotel and MGM Resort in China. 
74 enLIGHTenment Magazine | SepteMber 2018
www.enlightenmentmag.com