Zaha’s Moonsoon: An Interior in Japan

Zaha’s Moonsoon: An Interior in Japan explored the design story of the Moonsoon bar and restaurant (1989–90) in Sapporo, Japan, Zaha Hadid’s first completed project outside of the UK.

The exhibition offered a rare insight into the conception of an early key project, from its initial sketches in Arabic letter form, to the design of its ‘orange-peel’ structure and final built form – a lavish two-floor bar and restaurant at the height of the Japanese ‘bubble economy’, when exponential financial growth led to increased opportunities for foreign architects to design high-end commercial spaces in Japan.

Central to the exhibition was Interior Concepts (1989–1990), paintings which explored the possibilities of the site and its design concept. Other highlights included an innovative presentation model by artist Daniel Chadwick and a newly commissioned video work by Marwan Kaabour, based on rich materials in the Zaha Hadid Foundation’s archive. Together, these works offered an insight into the process, presentation and perception of Zaha’s first completed project outside of the UK.