Upon entering, guests are greeted by the bakery’s striking counter, a sculptural masterpiece crafted from green fiberglass in a honeycomb design. This vibrant element contrasts sharply with the light grey backdrop of walls and flooring, creating an eye-catching focal point. The green hue of the counter subtly reappears in the bathroom’s antechamber, visible behind Japanese-style, wood-framed, translucent sliding doors, and is echoed in a textile installation that sweeps across the ceiling. This installation, inspired by ‘noren’ – traditional Japanese fabric dividers – imparts a gentle sense of movement and cohesively links the bakery and bar areas, just like the wooden bench that lines the street-facing wall.
In stark contrast to the bakery’s airy, green-hued counter, the bar area features a counter crafted from black-stained chestnut. This choice of material pays homage to Shou Sugi Ban, a traditional Japanese method of charring wood to enhance its durability. Complementing this dark, substantial counter are a cupboard unit of black-stained chestnut and stainless steel, and a stone console. The console’s rugged, unrefined appearance stands out in the minimalist setting, serving as a nod to wabi-sabi, the Japanese art of finding beauty in imperfection and transience.