earthy tones & bold textures engulf noma’s new pop-up spot at ace hotel kyoto

step inside the newly completed ‘noma kyoto’ by oeo studio 

Copenhagen-based practice OEO Studio has just completed the interiors of Michelin-starred Noma’s new pop-up location in Japan, dubbed ‘Noma Kyoto’. Following the success of pop-ups in Tokyo, Sydney, and Tulum, Noma has teamed up with Ace Hotel Kyoto and worked closely with OEO Studio’s residence stylist Christine Rudolph to transform one of the hotel’s existing dining spaces, making room for its signature culinary style involving local ingredients and fresh produce. 

The existing 250 sqm restaurant interior includes a main high-ceiling dining area with views to a garden oasis, a secondary dining space, and two separate private rooms, all transformed for the temporary Noma residency. Infused with design traditions unique to Japan and Kyoto, the resulting pop-up space expertly blends Nordic and Japanese culture to create a warm and tactile interior enhanced with dimmed lighting, welcoming acoustics, and an earthy palette of colors. All elements combine to pay tribute to the cultural context but frame the unexpected – the result is a bold interior that sets the scene for an otherwordly dining experience.

honoring local crafts in unexpectedly bold ways 

OEO Studio (see more here) harnessed its inspiration towards Kyoto’s rich crafts history by working with some of the best local artisans specializing in ceramics, tatami, textiles, bamboo, and wood. Materials and surfaces were thus used in unexpected ways: colored tatami mats emerge as acoustic wall screens, complemented by room dividers from Yokoyama Tatami; likewise, architectural bamboo structures hung from the ceiling subtly assist with zoning the space and establishing a more intimate atmosphere. For this, the designers worked closely with a Tenugui maker and Copenhagen-based Natural Material Studio to create the illusion of an underwater kelp forest in the main dining room.

Furniture and lighting pieces include cabinets by Time & Style, Wall lamps by Santa & Cole and Stellar Works’ clean and minimal AYA collection by OEO Studio. AYA’s design language was established through OEO Studio’s extensive experience working with Japanese culture and a fascination for the contrast between the similarities and intrinsic differences it has with Scandinavia. Bespoke design objects include pendant lights made from compressed seaweed by Jonas Edvard, creator of the Algae Paper Lamp made from Danish algae and thermoflock paper and was originally developed for Restaurant Noma in Copenhagen in 2018. 

René Redzepi, Noma chef and owner, comments: ‘It takes about two years to plan a noma pop-up. Everything needs to be thoroughly considered – from the choice of produce and producers to what the restaurant should look like. Here, we had no doubt at all that OEO Studio were the right people for the project. With all their experience and expertise in design and craftsmanship in Japan, it has been a perfect match. OEO Studio has managed to create a space for Noma Kyoto that is based on our identity yet also shows great respect for local design and craftsmanship. It has been an immense pleasure to work with Thomas and Anne-Marie.’

‘Noma Kyoto’ will run at the Ace Hotel from March 15th to May 20th 2023. 

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project info:

name: Noma Kyoto | @nomacph

location: Ace Hotel Kyoto | @acehotel, Japan

interior design: OEO Studio | @oeo_studio

photography: Kotaro Tanaka 

restaurant area: 250 sqm 

running dates: March 15 – May 20, 2023