CASE-REAL creates a minimal setting for experimental restaurant ‘nôl’ in tokyo

CASE-REAL has created a minimal setting for nôl, a ground-level restaurant atelier in tokyo with an experimental concept that offers a place for chefs to use as catering preparation or for irregular dinning events. freed from the physical restraints of a classical restaurant, the project comprises a flexible interior, where a spacious kitchen meets a compact dining area of only eight table seats. since its name comes from the french term non-usuel (non-usual) and noir (black), the space has been designed with black as its key color, and with the idea of creating a restaurant with a special feeling that is not fully open to the public.all images by daisuke shima

considering the unique concept and characteristics of nôl, CASE-REAL has designed the space with a special approach that does not fully offer itself to the public. designed for chefs to use as a catering preparation facility or for irregular dinning events, the project is able to steer clear of the physical restraints of a classical restaurant. instead, its interior is characterized by a spacious kitchen and small, compact dining area, each with its own spatial characteristics. the dining area is finished with a matte, dark-toned lysine from floor to ceiling, while, to create depth, the space was painted in a gradation from grey to dark grey.

a series of pendant lights, which were newly designed to fit the space, hangs above the dining area, and has been finished in the same lysine material of the floor and ceiling to maintain a common tone and exaggerate the contrast between the lighting and the ceiling. right next to the dining area, the spacious kitchen is characterized by elements finished in stainless-steel. this choice was made to ‘create a brighter image and a space which functions like a stage in contrast to the black dining area,’ as CASE-REAL explains.

project info:

name: nôl

architect: CASE-REAL

client: marutaya co., ltd.

type: renovation

use: kitchen studio

floor area: 127 m2

location: tokyo, japan

direction: aid inc

design: koichi futatusmata, koichi shimohira (CASE-REAL), yasushi arikawa(partner)

cooperation: tank, tanabe kensetsu

lighting plan: branch lighting design (tatsuki nakamura)

manufacture of furniture: E&Y

sign design: aid inc

paint: nakamura paint