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Tokyo, Japan
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Noma Kitchen & Bar
Chef-owned modern bistro in Tokyo. Shou sugi ban timber, hand-troweled plaster, and custom brass lighting.
Noma Kitchen Group
2026
2,200 sq ft
14 weeks
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OVERVIEW
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A full interior renovation of a 1920s bungalow for a young family of four. The brief was to preserve the home's heritage character while opening the floor plan for modern family living.
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02 / Challenge
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The previous tenant had left the space stripped bare. Exposed ductwork, concrete slab floors, and zero acoustic treatment meant every sound bounced. The owners had a strong culinary vision but no clear idea of how the dining experience should feel spatially.
The floor plan was long and narrow with only one street-facing window, making natural light scarce. The kitchen extraction system needed a complete overhaul to meet Tokyo's strict ventilation codes, and the budget was tight for a space that needed to feel premium from day one.
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03 / APPROACH
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We divided the space into three distinct zones — an open kitchen counter, a main dining room, and a private alcove for six — using material shifts instead of walls. Shou sugi ban timber panels absorb sound while adding warmth. A custom brass light installation runs the length of the bar, casting a warm amber glow across hand-troweled plaster walls.
The private alcove is separated by a floor-to-ceiling curtain in raw silk, creating intimacy without permanent division. We designed every piece of furniture in-house: low-backed dining chairs in blackened ash, a 3-meter bar counter in volcanic stone, and banquette seating upholstered in indigo linen. The kitchen pass was raised to create a theater of cooking visible from every seat.
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04 / Result
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The restaurant reached full reservation capacity within two weeks of opening and was named in TimeOut Tokyo's Best New Restaurants list. The private dining alcove now generates 20% of total revenue through exclusive tasting menu bookings.
The owners have since commissioned us for their second venue, a sake bar in Shibuya, citing the design as the single biggest factor in Noma's early success. Guests consistently mention the atmosphere in reviews — proof that hospitality design is never just about the food.
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SERVICES PROVIDED
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INTERIOR DESIGN
FURNITURE SOURCING
CUSTOM JOINERY
CLAIRE ASHFORD
HOMEOWNER
