Japanese concept Uchi’s latest location in the heart of Washington, DC reflects the collaborative dynamic between Hai Hospitality and Islyn Studio, emphasizing shared values of craft, hospitality, and a sense of place. Nestled into the city’s Golden Triangle, the design stands out in the eclectic neighborhood with a welcoming, residential flair warmly permeating from the ground floor of a sustainable new-build. “Rather than simply bringing an existing Uchi to Washington, we wanted to create a world of its own,” says Islyn Studio founder and creative director Ashley Wilkins, “layered, tactile, sexy, and a little mysterious, with the sophistication of a destination restaurant but the warmth and humanity that make you want to lose track of time there.”

Inspired by New Formalist Modernism and the expressive geometry of midcentury architecture, a balance of softness, precision, and emotion characterizes Uchi DC. Geometric cutouts, layered thresholds, and fluid circulation establish moments of pause and revelation, guiding visitors through a sequence of intimate and atmospheric enclaves. Interiors also channel the dreamlike, saturated colors of filmmaker Wong Kar-wai to imbue a sense of emotional depth, while a cinematic palette of crimson, jade green, and muted gold recall the neon lights of Tokyo. Expressive green marble is paired with humble materials like brick and concrete to showcase the interplay of softness, depth, and imperfection alongside a limewash backdrop.

Subtle moments of concealment and surprise invite exploration, accenting the atmosphere of discovery and mystery. Private dining rooms and gently obscured pathways offer intimacy more akin to a longstanding fixture emanating warmth, generosity, and human connection. “We wanted the outside world to disappear,” Wilkins adds. “We want them to feel intrigued, sexy, alive, and excited by a sense of discovery, as though they’ve stumbled into a world that reveals itself little by little.”