Interior of a modern restaurant with colorful tiled wall, wooden furniture, and tables set with napkins and cutlery.
Modern restaurant interior with tiled wall and wooden furniture
Interior of a modern restaurant with a pink wall, a large arched window, and wooden tables and chairs. The table is set with plates and chopsticks. Outside, a street scene with parked cars and storefronts is visible through the window.
Modern cafe interior with people seated, neon lights, and hanging globe fixtures.
Interior of a modern café with orange walls and a metallic doorway frame, leading into a seating area. A blurry figure walks through, while another person sits at a table using their phone. Hanging decorative lights and a neon sign stating 'Mira' are
Interior of a modern café with blue walls, a marble counter, pendant lighting, and blurred motion of people, suggesting activity.
Modern cafe interior with orange walls, round mirrors, pendant lights, and wooden tables with chairs. A plant in a vase is on a table.
Interior of a modern cafe with red booths, wooden chairs, and hanging lights.
Modern restaurant interior with neon fish sign and hanging spherical lights, featuring tables and chairs, with two people interacting.
Interior of a restaurant with blue and orange decor, featuring a neon fish sign on the wall, tables with chairs, and small plants on the tables.
Modern café interior with wooden chairs, tables, and blue tiled floors, featuring a round blue wall art and pendant lights. Chicago restaurant design. Interior designer

INFO

Location:
Chinatown, Chicago
Downtown Evanston

Project Status:
Complete 2022

Project Size:
3,800sf

MIRA SUSHI CHINATOWN & EVANSTON

Converge Architecture were commissioned to transform a 3,800 SF retail space into a new Japanese restaurant in downtown Evanston’s commercial corridor. The existing space, formerly a Chinese restaurant, was fully gutted and reimagined, including upgrades to electrical and mechanical systems.

The design focuses on engaging the local youth community and nearby college students, creating an environment that feels vibrant, accessible, and memorable both inside and through its street presence. With a limited budget, finish selections were carefully curated at approximately $8–$10 per square foot. Rather than relying on expensive materials, the project leverages colorful, simple tiles to create a strong visual identity while remaining cost-efficient.

A custom-designed shelving system becomes the centerpiece of the space, serving both as a functional display for drinks and as a curated showcase for Japanese toys, reinforcing the restaurant’s playful and cultural theme.