Case study – Matsuhisa

Creating a space that continues to evolve the Matsuhisa legacy in its new Cherry Creek location remains true to the Japanese culture through thoughtful, unique, humble, and purposeful design.

Matsuhisa Denver is an exquisitely designed restaurant that elevates Denver’s dining experience. The muted, natural palette provides an elegant setting for the unique food presentation.

A space that is welcoming and inviting for guests was imperative to the scheme and structure. Utilizing deliberate textural contrast and carefully designed lightscapes, the ambiance for an exquisitely designed sushi restaurant that elevates Denver’s culinary palate was born.

A soothing, natural palette provides an elegant setting for the unique food presentation. Reclaimed Indonesian teak unifies the design as the floor, many walls, ceilings, bar, and millwork were all custom crafted from the same material. The sliding partition walls are also teak with resin panels that have a compelling story of their own; trimmings of prayer paper that is made by monks in the Himalayas is pressed in the resin. The paper is handmade from shrubs indigenous to the area.

Other elements were also designed to acknowledge the Colorado locale. The back bar wall is clad in leathered Sandalwood sandstone quarried from the Western Slope. The Zen garden rock, while inspired by Japanese artist Masatoshi Izumi, was selected from a local supplier and quarried in our home state. The sloped acoustic ceiling is reminiscent of the Rocky Mountains visible to the west.