Location: Milan, Italy

Year: 1995

Located in the heart of Milan, close to piazza San Babila, the 9000 sq.ft. museum-shop occupies the street and mezzanine level. Nimius is a sweeping circular space with curved walls where most of the display fixtures are integrated into the architecture. Floor and wall coverings in Pietra Dorata and Santa Fiora stone play a key role in the design.
Oak grilles and paneling, natural-form railings and balustrades in wrought iron and bronze emphasize the east/west dialog.
The Japanese restaurant on the mezzanine level is visible through a large circular opening at the main floor level.
It is reachable both by the signature staircase, and a separate entrance from the street. While Nimius may speak an international language, the vocabulary of the Akasaka restaurant is strictly Japanese.
The imagery and serenity of the Japanese garden take over as greenery, water, and a large marble sculpture create a courtyard setting in the restaurant’s center. It is designed to change with the seasons. Four private dining rooms are arranged around this space, which is fitted with five teppan-yaki counters, and a total seating capacity of 124. White river pebbles accentuate a variety of flooring materials, garden fences screen views, and deep brown washi rice-paper covered walls and columns, all contribute to the oriental sense of place.