Kurō Sushi is an interior restaurant build-out that transformed two adjacent commercial units on Lakewood Ranch’s Main Street into a cohesive sushi bar and intimate dining experience. The word Kurō, meaning ‘black’ in Japanese, was the driving force behind a simple material palette, utilizing natural materials in shades of black while contrasting with soft wood tones.

Stepping off the street, guests encounter an entry vestibule, giving them a moment of pause as they transition into the restaurant. A limited peek of the chefs behind the sushi bar beyond begins to unfold as guests are taken around the corner into the main dining space.

The dining room is wrapped in wood panels, which are broken into vertical slats above the banquette seating in response to the existing windows. This allows natural light to filter into the space during lunch service, while uplighting the slats in the evening becomes a focal feature during dinner service. The boxed grid ceiling was created using large, assembled cardboard boxes that were fire-rated and painted to stay within the client’s budget – a design element that would otherwise have been cost prohibitive if executed within the millwork scope.

Situated on the opposite side of the restaurant is the sushi and cocktail bar, allowing chefs behind the counter to have an unobstructed view of their guests. The textured boxed ceiling of the dining room contrasts with the smooth cantilevered wood ceiling, highlighting the energy and craft taking place behind the bar. Lighting is thoughtfully layered into these finishes to provide general, accent, and spot lighting when needed. Mechanical grilles and fire sprinklers were also carefully considered within the design to either be hidden within the boxes or aligned with the recessed joints of the wood paneled ceiling, paying homage to the craft and care of Japanese cuisine.