An Intimate Dialogue of Light and Timber
Designed by Joanna Laajisto, Shii in Helsinki unfolds as a refined omakase space where historic oak, soft shadows, and spatial clarity define the dining experience.
Hidden in the heart of Helsinki, Shii is a 15-seat Omakase-style restaurant defined by material dedication, atmospheric light, and spatial clarity. Conceived as a contemplative dining environment, the project reflects the discipline of omakase through a careful orchestration of proportion, texture, and tone.
Designed by local studio founder Joanna Laajisto, the interior balances Nordic minimalism with Japanese sensibility. Soft, diffused lighting settles over layered timber surfaces, guiding movement through the compact space. Every element is considered in relation to the whole, crafting an environment that feels cohesive and immersive.
Materiality plays a central role. Rustic oak sourced from a 300-year-old wine press forms the backbone of the interior, bringing depth, history, and tactile richness to the otherwise restrained palette. The aged timber introduces subtle variation in grain and tone, reinforcing the restaurant’s intimate scale.
The furniture selection contributes to the spatial tone: J39 Mogensen chairs anchor the private dining area with their solid wood frames and woven seats, adding familiarity and crafted detail. Along the counter, high stools from Barber Osgerby’s Plan Collection provide a vertical counterpoint, their clean lines and warm finish echoing the surrounding timber surfaces. Together, these pieces shape the experience of the room as much as the architecture itself.
At Shii, design is expressed through clarity rather than excess. Light, material, and form work in quiet dialogue, resulting in a space that feels intimate and enduring.
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