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Interiors - Quarterly - June 2006

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Veil

Seattle
Arai Jackson Ellison Murakami

Arai Jackson Ellison Murakami conjures a gossamer lightness for the new Veil restaurant in Seattle

Photo © Benjamin Benschneider

By John Peter Radulski

As its name implies, the restaurant Veil is an interior cloaked in mystery. Designed by architects Arai Jackson Ellison Murakami, the Seattle venue employs translucent glass planes, gossamer fabric sheers, and partially obscured sight lines to impart a sense of discovery as patrons navigate through the mostly monochromatic space.

Gutting the streetfront space, a former grocery in a dilapidated 1930s brick building, the architects annexed an adjacent apartment to create a total of 2,500 square feet for front- and back-of-house use. Within a tight budget of $150 per square foot (including furnishings and kitchen equipment), they installed new mechanical systems and replaced glazing along the north and west facades. A new floor of waxed and sealed concrete established an easy-to-maintain, spartan look.

Guests enter Veil within a narrow space that bisects the dining and lounge areas. Bracketing a dark walnut reception podium, “wing wall” partitions of 1⁄2-inch-thick translucent glass frame and partially obscure views into the 40-seat lounge to the left and the 52-seat dining room on the opposite side. Fluorescents fitted with rose-hued gels outline the reception desk and the bar and seating niches beyond.

In the lounge, U-shaped nooks are lined with square wall panels of faux leather, which also upholsters the banquettes. A walnut-faced bar anchors one end of the room, while ottomans pull up to a long white Parsons table that defines the lounge’s central axis.

The main dining room adjoins a more intimate space with an 18-seat table for private dining. Mahogany-edged drywall dividers separate the rooms, topped with sheer fabric scrims weighted with aluminum rods. Additional fabric panels cover the windows along the perimeter, lit to create a moiré effect. Alternatively, windows along the building’s facade allow passersby a glimpse into the kitchen, a clear indication that voyeurism and restraint create pleasing visual counterpoints at Veil.

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the People

Owner
Erik Lindstrom/Shannon Galusha

Architect / Designer
Arai Jackson Ellison Murakami LLP
2300 7th Ave
Seattle WA 98121
P) 206.323.8800
F) 206.323.8518
www.araijackson.com

Rixhard Murakami, AIA, principal;
Yuko Kunugi, Designer;
Bruce Ellison;
Ben Pongprot.

Interior designer:
Arai Jackson Ellison Murakami LLP

Consultant(s)
Lighting:
Trish Connor, Lumena Lighting Design
206-521-0739
1601 5th Avenue, #900
Seattle, WA 98101
simpson@lumenalighting.com

General contractor
DP Inc.

Photographer(s)
Benjamin Benschneider
206.789.5973
www.benschneiderphoto.com

CAD system, project management, or other software used
AutoCAD 2002 www.autodesk.com

the Products

Interior finishes
Cabinetwork and custom woodwork:
Designed by arai jackson ellison murakami LLP, built by Dansing Galusha, Nick Dellos

Window covering:
JF Fabric Mercury, built by SMJ Studio

Special surfacing:
Plaster finish

Furnishings
Reception furniture:
Solid and Veneer walnut custom design by arai jackson ellison murakami LLP

Fixed seating:
Nassimi fabric and walnut custom design by arai jackson ellison murakami LLP built by J.H.Carr

Chairs:
Bo Chair by Philippe Starck manufactured by Driade www.driade.com

Tables:
Avonite surface and walnut table custom design by arai jackson ellison murakami LLP, built by Heartwood.

Upholstery:
Nassimi fabric www.nassimi.com

Other furniture:
Restroom doors: etch matte finish glazing and CRL door hardware

Lighting
Interior ambient lighting:
Birchwood lighting

Downlights:
Lace Pendant lamp by Studio Italia Design www.sid-usa.com; Iris pinhole by Cooper lighting www.cooperlighting.com/

Plumbing
Toilet:
Toto Nexus www.totousa.com

Urinal:
Toto UT104 www.totousa.com

Sink:
Catalano Zero Verso

Faucet:
Borma by Jado www.jadousa.com

Other
Honeycomb core translucent panel by Panelite www.panelite.com

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