Nautilus
The Grand Blue Express is a luxury aquarium dining restaurant in Ueno, Tokyo. The renovated space limited to 95sqm took on the 5th floor of a mixed used building. Inspired by luxury trains, the design tries to overcome the small space limitations to both accommodate the aquariums and provide the luxurious atmosphere the restaurant aims to implement. The dining room takes the form of a corridor coach that serves the individual cabins on both sides. each cabin is equipped with its aquarium installed to mimic the train windows, creating the impression to be inside a train cruising underwater.
Nautilus Restaurant by Tetsuya Matsumoto was recognized as an innovative illustration of architectural design by the A' Design Award & Competition. Nautilus Restaurant earned the Silver A' Design Award in Interior Space and Exhibition Design in 2022. The A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award is a highly prestigious international design award which celebrates exceptional design of residential interiors, restaurants, hotels, offices, galleries, retail stores, showrooms, exhibition spaces and more.
