Ukraine design studio, Replus Bureau, has completed a new Asian restaurant in Lviv, taking a contemporary approach to Japanese influence through materials, construction and craftsmanship rather than decorative references.
The interior draws on the character of a Japanese street café, combining clean lines and controlled proportions with raw textures, resulting in a space that balances order with a less polished, more expressive material palette.
Materials and construction systems that would usually be concealed have been made part of the design. Drywall framing profiles, industrial aluminium and machine-frame profiles appear throughout, with the bar constructed from machine profiles and lighting systems deliberately left exposed above the bar and banquet seating. Terracotta masonry blocks are also left visible, making their texture part of the interior.
“Rather than adding layers of decoration, we wanted to reveal what is already there,” says Kris Badzyan of Replus Bureau. “The building process itself became part of the design language. Materials that are usually considered technical or unfinished can have their own aesthetic value when they are used with intention.”
Custom chairs and tables combine birch plywood, stainless steel and powder-coated steel, while hand-painted artwork adds a more personal element. Off-grade ceramic tiles have been manually chipped and arranged irregularly, turning variations in the material into part of the design.
The approach also reflects the studio’s focus on material reuse. Industrial profiles serve as architectural and furniture elements, while imperfect tiles and construction components are used without unnecessary finishing.
“We are interested in finding beauty in materials that are usually overlooked,” says Alina Maksymenko, the designer. “Sustainability begins with this change in perception: using what already exists, giving materials a second purpose and creating spaces that can remain relevant beyond short-lived trends.”
Rather than treating Japanese culture as a visual theme, the project translates ideas of balance, simplicity and attention to detail into a contemporary hospitality interior.
MAMENORI Lviv Photography, Roman Cayman.