Situated on the ground floor of the historic Eddystone, Basan Detroit conjures an irresistible atmosphere through excellent interior and brand design. With the intention of developing a high-end izakaya concept adapted to Detroit’s tastes and the building’s history, our designers leaned into juxtaposition by creating distinct dining experiences. A comfortable lounge allows for a quick cocktail and small plates, while the kitchen counter offers guests the opportunity to enjoy a multicourse chef’s menu while taking in the sights and scents from the Robatayaki grill. Custom lighting adds dramatic shadows to a crisply appointed main dining room, with its Tokyo nightlife inspired tables, chairs and counter. A dark floor and tables are offset by natural wood grain and intricately painted panels that illustrate the brand’s signature firebird along with street art iconography.
Basan’s identity is rooted in three brand pillars: dutiful, humming, candid. The restaurant’s mission is to honor the people of Detroit with quality food and drink, served with skill and detail. Each texture, tangible, and art piece expresses these values. KTGY’s conversations became not just a name and logo — which, through many collaborative sessions with the client, evolved into the legendary fire-breathing rooster — but brand guidelines that defined the distinct typeface, staff uniforms, different logos for every use; colors, materials and patterns that help the brand build a future for the restaurant. Customers will linger over the menus and pocket the matchbooks, they will notice the uniforms and logos, but what creates a deep impression is the commitment to an identity that was defined long before the first yakitori came off the grill. With its eclectic charm and bold juxtaposition of styles, Basan leaves each guest with the impression of a place designed to be as diverse, rich and storied as the city where it resides.
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