London-based Child Studio has converted a disused 1960s London post office into a new outlet for Maido Sushi, bang on time for the new easing of the city’s lockdown restrictions.
‘We were fascinated by the unique story of this building and aimed to capture the nostalgic atmosphere of 1960s London, paying tribute to the modernist public spaces of the era,’ say the founders of Child Studio, Alexy Kos and Che Huang.
‘The design evolved around the bold geometry characteristic for this period and juxtaposition of simple materials: wood, glass, clay and steel.’
The restaurant is a unique blend of English modernist designs and Japanese interior elements. It’s a somewhat atypical combination but it makes sense for Maido, which was established in 2016 by founding members of Atari-Ya, the renowned distributors of Sushi-grade fish to Michelin starred restaurants around London.
At the centre of the space is an island bar where the sushi master prepares and serves classic sushi dishes, from Nigiri with yellowtail to Inside Out Rolls with spicy tuna and spring onions. The counter is clad in reflective steel panels with complementary aluminium bar stools by Japanese designer Naoto Fukasawa.
The rest of the restaurant is accessorised with a range of iconic midcentury pieces, including antique tubular steel chairs by Mies Van Der Rohe and moulded plywood armchairs by Norman Cherner.
These design classics are the perfect accompaniment to the space’s dark cherry wood walls and suspended coffered ceiling in a soft blue hue. That pastel ceiling is perhaps the most notable aspect of the interiors and it is emphasised by the reflection of the grid pattern motif on the floor, which is finished in black quarry tiles.
The end result is a space that is achingly chic without being intimidating, making for a dining experience that is both convivial and cool. §