Kufuku Restaurant – Ariake

Location: Tokyo, Japan

Project designers: Keiji Ashizawa, Toshiya Nakamura & Ai Fujii

Product designers: Norm Architects (Outline Barstool), Staffan Holm (Dovetail Stool)

This 70 years old house converted to a restaurant has been given a whole new look with modern Ariake furniture.

In a neighbourhood full of modern buildings Kufuku really stands out. It looks like time had stopped in this restaurant. Keiji Ashizawa pefectly combined the antique look with Ariaki furniture. He had to revise the building structure, because it didn’t comply with the building regulations of today. The structure has been strengthened by either installing rebars or forming concrete foundations.

Kufuku’s counter on the first floor is surrounded by Ariake’s Outline Barstools. It creates a spacious and inviting atmosphere and offers comfortable seats in this unfloored ‘doma’ space. Norm architects from Copenhagen, Denmark designed these stools being loyal to traditional Japanese joinery methods and using all the craftmanship of the Mirodomi furniture industry.

Originally the first floor was designed to be a shop floor and the second floor was used as a residential space. Currently the space is used as a French restaurant while still paying respect to Japanese culture. The Outline Chairs offer comfortable seeting on the second floor.

These Dovetail Stools, designed by Staffan Holm, perfectly match the table. The color truly stands out in this authentic Japanese room and wonderfully combines with all the brown wood. The seat is slighly curved to give a higher comfort. A light modern touch to this authentic japanese room.

Kufuku Restaurant – Ariake