Onuki at The Ilisian

Onuki is a Japanese restaurant at The Ilisian in Athens, the new destination centred on the former Hilton Athens. Close to the pool, it brings a new dining experience to a building that has long held a place in the life of the city. Edeko Lighting Studio designed the lighting across the restaurant, from its dining areas, bar and open kitchen to the terrace and upper level spaces. Our work covers the places where guests gather, the routes between them and the views that connect the interior with its surroundings. Each area plays a part in the experience of Onuki, and each had to be considered within the restaurant as a whole.

Lighting a restaurant means thinking about it in use. A guest’s experience changes as they arrive, move through the space, sit down to eat and look out towards the pool. We approached Onuki through those moments, considering how the different spaces are seen both on their own and in relation to one another.

The location also matters. Onuki is one of several venues within The Ilisian, but it has its own identity and its own relationship with the outdoor setting. The lighting work presented here belongs specifically to this restaurant. It extends across its interior and exterior areas and is best understood as guests experience them: together, over the course of a visit.

Through this project, we sought to give Onuki a lighting presence appropriate to its setting and to the life of the restaurant. The completed space is the result we present: a new place to meet and dine within a familiar Athenian landmark.