Process

Steps

1. 01

   Consultation and site survey

   We learn about your goals, budget, and schedule, and check the property and location on site.

2. 02

   Concept design

   We clarify your strengths and target audience, then define clear criteria for design decisions.

3. 03

   Design and estimate

   We share the finished look through 3D renderings and material samples, and make the costs clear.

4. 04

   Construction and production

   We coordinate construction supervision, photography, and website development, managing the schedule and quality throughout.

5. 05

   Opening and ongoing support

   We support your business after opening through promotional materials, website updates, and design advisory.

Case

Case study

Soranchu, an Okinawan restaurant: bringing a 6-tsubo (about 20 m²) shop to life

1. 01

   Site survey

   We traveled to Omiya, Saitama, for a site survey. The property was a former small Japanese restaurant, with both floors leased as a single building. The ground floor measured 6 tsubo (about 20 m²).
   
   At the time, the building was in poor condition throughout.

   

2. 02

   Shop name

   The owner's background as a pilot inspired the name Soranchu, meaning a person of the sky.
   
   The owner also wanted a custom Ryukyu glass sign, which helped us develop the shop's concept further.

   

3. 03

   Presenting the shop concept

   We developed the shop concept through conversations about its name, menu, target customers, and the owner's vision. Materials evoke Okinawa's natural surroundings, while indirect lighting inspired by the sky creates a sense of openness within the compact 6-tsubo (about 20 m²) space.

   

4. 04

   Display

   The owner brought in the actual display pieces they owned so we could plan around them.
   
   Traditional Okinawan costumes that stand out against a simple interior. We worked out every detail, down to how they would look as guests enter and how the light would fall on them.

   

5. 05

   Pre-construction meeting

   Once the design and plans were finalized, we held a pre-construction meeting.
   
   The owner, designer and construction company shared the issues and resolved them together on site.

   

6. 06

   Demolition

   During demolition, some things could not be known until walls were opened up. Whenever a problem was found, we considered how to address it and adjusted so the schedule would not slip.

   

7. 07

   Interior construction

   Throughout interior construction, we regularly checked for any differences from the drawings, sometimes adjusting down to the millimeter.
   
   With many different craftspeople working on site, we coordinated so each stage flowed smoothly into the next.

   

8. 08

   Sample check

   We checked samples of the materials in the actual places they would be used.
   
   We made adjustment after adjustment to get closer to the finish we were aiming for.

   

9. 09

   Sign testing

   For the sign, the face of the shop, we walked past from the street in front many times to check how it looked before deciding where to install it. We also carefully tested the angle and color of the spotlights so the Ryukyu glass would cast beautiful shadows.

   

10. 10

    DIY

    To help the owner feel even more attached to the shop, we invited them to take part in the construction. Pressing Ryukyu glass and seashells into the exposed-aggregate floor became a fun memory.
    
    We hear it often sparks conversations with customers.

    

11. 11

    Handover

    After construction was complete, we checked the finish in detail for any issues.
    
    We also explained care and usage precautions, and fine-tuned the position and angle of the lighting together with the owner.

    

12. 12

    Photography

    Photography for menus and promotion plays an important role in communicating the shop's character.
    
    We devoted a full day to the photography.

    

13. 13

    Press release

    We also issued a press release so people could learn about the shop before it opened.
    
    We carefully checked the photos and text before release.

    

14. 14

    Grand opening

    We were also present at the grand opening, carefully checking from the customer's perspective that everything was ready. Seeing the first guests enjoying their meal made months of hard work worthwhile.
    
    For the shop, this is just the beginning. We continue to support it after opening.