The top of a mountain in Hokkaido, Japan, features the Niseko Look Out Cafe which was recently renovated by Design Spirits. To bring the old wooden building up to date in a way that complemented its original materiality, the architect clad the ceilings and walls with timber slats, including repeated partitions between each of the booth tables to break up the space and increase its intimacy.
The overall aesthetic achieved harkens to traditional Japanese interior arrangement, but the entire floor of the restaurant manages to simultaneously close off and reveal each adjacent niche. The individual eating alcoves are treated much like separate roofed structures, clustered in a way that this particular building knows not. The Niseko Look Out Cafe may be remote amidst the ski peaks, but when inside, you'll feel its cozy atmosphere.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Timber Slat Design
- Opportunity for using timber slats in interior design to create intimacy and aesthetic appeal.
- Partitioned Spaces
- Innovative use of partitions to break up the space and create individual eating alcoves for increased privacy.
- Japanese Interior Design
- Trend in incorporating traditional Japanese interior arrangement for a unique and cozy atmosphere.
Where This Applies
- Hospitality
- Opportunity for hotels and restaurants to use timber slat design and partitioned spaces to create a unique and intimate dining experience.
- Architecture
- Opportunity for architects to explore new ways of incorporating traditional Japanese interior design elements into their projects.
- Tourism
- Opportunity for tourism destinations to enhance their offerings by incorporating unique and cozy spaces inspired by Japanese interior design.
