Header: Tanveer Badal
The interior design of Sushi Nakazawa in Los Angeles is inspired by the deep blue seas. The restaurant ensures engagement and wonder with a set of underwater cavern-inspired visuals, deep blue hues, and shimmering golds.
Soft transparency and privacy throughout the light
The entrance ensures privacy with the slatted plaster façade that turns the entry path into a tunnel-like passage. The interior is equipped with vegetation, accent lighting, and brass elements, while the large picture windows are frosted to preserve privacy while still allowing the suggestion of interior movement and light.
Sea and cave-inspired main dining room
Large brass-clad doors signify the entry into the main dining room. The sense of coolness overwhelms as the shades of deepest marine blue emanate from the ceiling. The colour palette is additionally enhanced by long slots that allow natural light to pierce through.
The rough plaster treatment of the main dining room walls provides a stark contrast to the refined surfaces used throughout. Rich wood floor layout creates a herringbone pattern, which transforms into wood-like porcelain tiles in the exterior patio. A second large picture window provides views to both the sushi counter and the patio.
A large-scale mural by decorative artist Caroline Lizarraga graces the patio, adding drama and character to the space. The abstract mural is inspired by the ancient Japanese marbling technique of suminagashi, aka “floating ink“, which included painting organic patterns on a water surface and then transferring them to the paper or fabric.
Energetic focal point of the main dining room
The sushi counter represents the energetic centrepiece of the room. Executed in a pristine white quartz countertop with slate veneer, the counter mirrors a notion of an indoor sea cave. The warm, inviting atmosphere is created through dark wood tones and luxurious leather upholstery.
Studio UNLTD
Los Angeles-based studio UNLTD has been making comfortable, functional, and visually arresting interiors since 2009. Prolific in architecture, lighting and furniture design, the studio creates spaces adapted to clients’ needs. Known for its unique collaborative approach, the studio works with artisans, consultants, barmen, chefs, and other collaborators, while close ties with trade professionals enable them to bring a variety of resources to their projects.
Inspired by the sea and the Japanese tradition of suminigashi, the interior design of Sushi Nakazawa strikes a fine balance between cold blue tones and warm, welcoming wood furniture. The interplay of functional design and artistic elements results in an atmosphere that simultaneously seems monumental and deeply intimate.
Technical sheet
Name: Sushi Nakazawa, Los Angeles
Client: Daisuke Nakazawa and Alessandro Borgognone
Architect: NCA Studio
Landscape Architect: ZFreedman
Muralist: Caroline Lizarraga
Interiors & Lighting Designer: Studio UNLTD
Address: 145 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048
Completion: May 2026
Size: 2,607 sq. ft. interior | 1,401 sq. ft. exterior
Photography: Tanveer Badal
