Eight has developed and designed The Alpinist, a new dining concept in Niseko, Japan, one of Asia's premiere ski destinations. Eight was in charge of every aspect of the project from creative direction and brand articulation to interior design and execution.
Located at the very heart of Niseko-Hirafu, The Alpinist serves up a modern take on traditional alpine dining experiences. The concept is based on the idea of a fictional mountaineer and the visual identity, together with the interiors of the restaurant, aim to deliver a balance of Alpine heritage and modernism. The menu features traditional Alpine cuisine with classics such as authentic fondue, raclette, crepes, soups and salads.
"The concept was developed from the need to create a place with personality and character," said Elaine Fok, Design Director at Eight. "We imagined this place as the new home of an experienced mountain professional having travelled the world."
The storytelling approach informed the process of creating the visual identity and interiors, richly conveying the romance of the mountains with a contemporary twist. This balance was applied throughout the process including the use of materials where aged and weathered timber, stone and wool were combined with modern design elements and colours to bring the narrative to life.
Eight developed the interiors as a homogeneous extension of the brand story and features, among other things, an imposing, beautiful fireplace as a signature centrepiece and an imposing central communal table with lighting inspired by traditional cow bells. The space is punctuated by a curated selection of vintage alpinism related artifacts inspired by a mountain lifestyle.