Interview about In Between Octaves Japanese Ramen House, winner of the A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award 2025
This is a design project that integrates oriental elements into a westernized shopping mall. The overall space color system is mainly white and wood grain. An array of hand written calligraphy lanterns is used to frame the outer kitchen and dining areas like a musical score. The ramen chefs cook with the spirit of Isshokenmei. From the moment they queue up to the end of their meal, the guests all show their love for ramen and Tsukemen, just like a beautiful melody resounding in the space. Notes continuously perform the contemporary Japanese space with sound tracks between the spatial scores.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsThe 45-days deadline to launch In Between Octaves Japanese Ramen House in time for Christmas events pushed designer Che Yung Kung and the team to make bold, efficient choices that still honored the spirit of Japanese ramen culture.Time-Driven Design DecisionsModular construction techniques were prioritized to speed up installation, such as using prefabricated wooden trusses and stainless steel mesh facades.The open kitchen bar with sliding windows allowed for rapid assembly while enhancing customer interaction.A central axis grid layout was used to streamline spatial planning, reducing time spent on complex architectural adjustments.Innovative Solutions Born from PressureCalligraphy lanterns were used not just as decor but as spatial dividers, creating ambiance and structure simultaneously.A looped kitchen circulation system with dual food delivery ports enabled seamless operations—critical for high-volume holiday traffic.Atmospheric lighting and textured wall from wallpaper were chosen for their quick install times and high visual impact.
The open kitchen design with sliding windows in In Between Octaves Japanese Ramen House, created by Che Yung Kung, is deeply rooted in personal experiences of dining in Japan—and it’s more than just an aesthetic choice. It’s a spatial narrative that bridges memory, tradition, and engagement.Personal Experience as Design CatalystThe designer recalls the thrill of sitting at a ramen counter in Japan, watching chefs prepare each bowl with precision and passion. The shaking of noodles, the spirited shouts, and the intimate proximity to the cooking process left a lasting impression. These sensory memories became the foundation for the architectural concept.“We remember how lucky we were to get seats at the counter… the way they shook the noodles, accompanied by their spirited shouts, made us even more excited for the ramen to be served.” — Che Yung KungArchitectural Translation: Sliding Windows & Open Kitchen- Sliding windows allow for a dynamic threshold between the kitchen and dining area, echoing the transparency and immediacy of traditional ramen stalls.- The O-shaped circulation around the kitchen ensures fluid movement of staff and food, while keeping the chef visible and central to the dining experience.- Calligraphy lanterns and rhythmic spatial elements frame the kitchen like a musical score, reinforcing the metaphor of ramen-making as a performance.Customer Engagement & Cultural Resonance- The open kitchen fosters emotional connection between diners and chefs, enhancing trust and anticipation.- It invites diners to witness craftsmanship, turning a meal into a multisensory event.- This setup mirrors the Japanese omotenashi spirit—hospitality rooted in sincerity and attentiveness.Broader Design InsightThis design aligns with broader trends in ramen architecture:- Open kitchens are increasingly used to build transparency and authenticity.- They create a theatrical experience, where the act of cooking becomes part of the dining ritual.
Fast-Track Design: 45 Days to Christmas OpeningCompleting In Between Octaves Japanese Ramen House in just 45 days meant every decision had to serve schedule and quality simultaneously. From day one, the project team mapped out critical paths, locked in vendor lead times, and built a rolling two-week look-ahead. Lean Scheduling & Workflow Optimization- Prefabrication Wherever PossibleWooden roof trusses, bathroom pods, and façade frames were built off-site and simply slotted into place.- Simplified Material PaletteBy limiting finishes to white porcelain tile, veneered plywood, and stainless-steel mesh, procurement cycles shrank dramatically.Rapid-Install Systems & Prefab Details- Sliding-window Kitchen FaçadeFunctioned as both dining counter and rapid-mount cladding, merging two trades into one installation step.- Batch-Produced Calligraphy LanternsLantern frames, wiring, and hand-brushed paper sleeves were completed off-site, then hung in minutes on site.
Integrating Oriental Elements in a Western MallBlending Japanese authenticity within a sanitized, westernized mall demands deliberate contrasts. In Between Octaves achieves cultural harmony by weaving traditional references into a contemporary, minimalist shell—inviting diners to experience Japan without leaving the mall’s sleek context.1. Harmonized Material & Color PaletteA restrained palette of white porcelain tile and warm wood grain bridges East and West.- White tile evokes cleanliness and modern retail sensibilities.- Wood grain panels recall Japanese timber craftsmanship.- Stainless-steel mesh introduces an industrial edge common in malls.This triad ensures visual continuity with surrounding stores while grounding the space in Japanese materiality.2. Calligraphy Lantern “Musical Score”Handwritten paper lanterns suspended above the kitchen and dining area perform like notes on a staff:- Each lantern bears fluid brush strokes, echoing traditional shodo.- Their linear arrangement frames the open kitchen, guiding sightlines.- Soft, diffused light reinforces an intimate, ritualistic ambiance.By treating lanterns as both functional lighting and cultural iconography, the design sings a Japanese melody within a neutral mall backdrop.3. Open Kitchen & Sliding window facadeBorrowing from street-side ramen stalls, sliding windows stitch kitchen and dining together:- Windows slide open to reveal chefs at work—mirroring traditional “yatai.”- Guests witness ramen craft firsthand, feel the efforts of the ramen chef.4. Spatial Rhythm & O-Shaped CirculationCirculation follows a continuous loop around an O-shaped kitchen “island”:- Diners move from queue to seating with unimpeded flow, as in busy Fukuoka stalls.- Service staff navigate efficiently, minimizing back-of-house congestion.- The shape fosters communal encounters, echoing the conviviality of ramen culture.This choreography embeds Japanese dining rituals into the mall’s circulation pattern.By layering these strategies—material resonance, calligraphic light, dynamic transparency, and ritual circulation—In Between Octaves preserves the soul of a Japanese ramen bar within the shell of a western mall.
Developing the O-Shaped CirculationMapping Core Functional ZonesEvery ramen house revolves around three essential activities: food preparation, front-of-house service, and post-service clearing. By plotting these areas onto a continuous, looped plan, we eliminated dead-end corridors and backtracking. This meant:- Chefs, servers, and bussers never crossed paths unnecessarily.- Key workstations sat side by side, reducing wasted footsteps.- Hand-off points (food pass-throughs, dirty-dish hatches) aligned directly across from each other.Iterative Space-Planning Process- Bubble DiagramsEarly sketches clustered prep, service, and cleaning “bubbles” in a ring.- Line-of-Sight StudiesWe ran visibility analyses so chefs could glance at diners, and bussers could spot empty bowls without interrupting service.- Mock-Up Walk-ThroughsOn-site tape layouts confirmed that a 1.2 m-wide corridor around the island allowed two staff members to pass comfortably, even during peak rush.Enhancing Staff Performance- Ergonomic ReachCore tools, ingredients, and service ware sit within a 60 cm radius of each workstation, slashing arm-reach time.- Split Service PortsTwo opposed pass-through windows let cooks send bowls out and bussers retrieve dishes simultaneously.- Clear Back-of-House AccessA hidden hatch into the cleaning area keeps dirty dishes off sightlines and maintains hygiene flow.Enriching the Dining Atmosphere- Continuous ConnectionDiners circle the kitchen island, turning a meal into a shared performance.- Visual RhythmCalligraphy lanterns above the corridor trace the O-shape, guiding guests through a spatial narrative.- Communal EnergyThe loop fosters chance encounters between strangers, echoing the convivial buzz of Fukuoka ramen counters.
Material Palette: White and Wood GrainThe design anchors the ramen bar as a contemporary stage by pairing pristine white surfaces with warm wood grain panels. This duality creates a clean, bright backdrop that recalls modern retail fixtures while inviting the natural warmth and tactility of traditional Japanese timber craftsmanship.Spatial Narrative Through WhiteWhite surfaces — from porcelain‐like tiles to texture wallpaper walls — amplify natural and artificial light, making the compact mall setting feel expansive. This brightness frames the open kitchen as a spectacle, turning every splash of broth or flourish of calligraphy lantern light into a vivid performance.Wood Grain’s Sensory WarmthContrasting the white, wood grain panels introduce texture and depth. Their subtle veining and soft tones evoke Japanese joinery and tatami mat underlay, offering diners a tactile sense of authenticity. The material’s warmth also balances the kitchen’s stainless‐steel mesh and metal fixtures, grounding the space in natural resonance.Harmonizing East and WestBy limiting finishes to white and wood grain, the design bridges the mall’s sleek minimalism with the warmth of a street‐side ramen stall. The result is a spatial narrative where contemporary formality and traditional craftsmanship coexist—inviting guests to experience Japanese omotenashi within a western retail shell.
Acoustic Enrichment and Atmospheric Lighting Through StructureIn Between Octaves Japanese Ramen House weaves stainless-steel expanded mesh and exposed wooden trusses into its ceiling and façade to serve dual roles—softening the space’s acoustics while sculpting a rich play of light and shadow.1. Wooden Trusses: Warmth, Structure, and Sound Diffusion- Acoustic DiffusionThe exposed trusses break up flat ceiling planes, scattering sound waves and reducing flutter echoes—so the clatter of bowls and hum of conversation stays lively but never harsh.- Integrated Ambient LightingLinear LED fixtures are recessed into the truss depth, casting gentle uplight onto the ceiling and downlight across seating. This indirect illumination highlights the wood’s grain and creates a cocoon-like warmth above the ramen bar.2. Stainless-Steel Expanded Mesh: Translucent Veil and Diffuser- Sound ScatteringThe perforated mesh façade acts as a lightweight acoustic diffuser, dispersing mid- and high-frequency noise. Behind the mesh, acoustic infill (fabric-covered panels or insulation) further tames reverberation without deadening the bustling atmosphere.- Dynamic Light ModelingMounted over backlit surfaces—linear wall washers, calligraphy lanterns, or concealed LEDs—the mesh filters and fragments beams into a lace-like pattern. As staff move and light shifts, dancing shadows animate the truss façade, reinforcing the space’s performative rhythm.3. Synergy of ElementsTogether, these architectural details transform a functional mall kiosk into an immersive ramen theatre—where sound is crisp but contained, and light becomes an active performer.
Isshokenmei Embodied in Spatial Layout and Visual ElementsSpatial layout turns every step of meal preparation into a choreographed ritual, reflecting the chefs’ unwavering spirit of doing one’s best from start to finish. By framing the kitchen as the heart of the plan, diners and staff engage in an unbroken loop of focused performance—mirroring the continuous dedication of Isshokenmei craftsmanship.Spatial Layout as Ritual Performance- Central open kitchen anchors an O-shaped circulation, ensuring chefs, servers, and bussers move in a seamless, disciplined flow.- Sliding-window façade dissolves barriers between cook and guest, reinforcing transparent mastery at every interaction.- Linear arrangement of workstations reads like movements in a composition, each station highlighting a precise stage of ramen creation.Visual Elements as Craftsmanship ScoreVisual treatments amplify the narrative of excellence, transforming materials and light into active participants in the performance.- Hand-brushed calligraphy lanterns arrayed like musical notation celebrate the rhythmic precision of each ladle and noodle toss.- Contrasting white tiles and warm wood grain evoke both exactitude and human warmth, embodying technical rigor tempered by hospitality.- Dynamic uplighting through wooden trusses and patterned shadows from stainless-steel mesh spotlight chefs’ gestures, casting every action in a heroic glow.
Maximizing Efficiency in 74 m²Within the tight 74 m² envelope, every design move had to pull double duty—serving both function and form. By layering modular planning, multi-functional fixtures, vertical strategies, and a restrained aesthetic, the space feels generous, purposeful, and distinctly Japanese.1. Modular Grid and Prefabrication- Prefabricated trusses, façade frames, and bathroom pods reduced on-site build time and ensured precise tolerances.- This grid-driven approach minimized waste and enabled parallel construction workflows, critical for both efficiency and visual harmony.2. Multi-Functional Fixtures- The sliding-window kitchen façade doubles as serving counter and cladding, collapsing two trades into one installation step.- Integrated pass-throughs align food delivery, dish return, and garbage drops, eliminating extra corridors and back-of-house clutter.- Bench seating tucked under the counter maximizes circulation width without sacrificing guest capacity or comfort.3. Vertical Layering & Spatial Depth- Exposed wooden trusses lift the eye upward, imparting a sense of volume despite the compact footprint.- Floor-to-ceiling glass frontage visually extends the interior into the mall concourse, drawing natural light deep into the plan.- Layered ceiling elements—mesh, lanterns, linear lighting—create rhythmic patterns that broaden perceived scale and guide movement.4. Visual Clarity Through Restraint- A white-and-wood palette reflects light, unifies surfaces, and prevents visual clutter in tight quarters.- Stainless-steel expanded mesh adds textural depth without bulk, filtering light and hinting at hidden acoustic infill.- Hand-written calligraphy lanterns function as both lighting fixtures and wayfinding markers, stitching together kitchen, queue, and dining areas.
Future Impact of In Between Octaves Japanese Ramen HouseThe Bronze A′ Design Award in Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design not only spotlights In Between Octaves as an exemplar of inventive hospitality design but also signals a shift in how restaurants can tell cultural stories through architecture. This recognition positions Taiwan’s design community on the global stage, encouraging peers to pursue narrative-rich interiors that fuse authenticity with contemporary rigor.Elevating Theatrical Open Kitchens- By celebrating the open, sliding-window kitchen as both service counter and performance stage, this project will inspire more restaurants to treat cooking as live theater—drawing guests into the craft rather than placing it behind closed doors.- Expect to see a surge in dynamic kitchen-front interfaces that prioritize transparency, engagement, and the ritual of preparation.Accelerating Prefabrication & Modular Strategies- The success of rapid-track construction and prefabricated modules in a high-pressure timeline will encourage wider adoption of off-site fabrication in hospitality.- Designers will increasingly employ grid-driven, repeatable elements—wooden trusses, mesh panels, service hatches—to compress schedules without sacrificing detail.Deepening Cultural Resonance in Malls and Beyond- In Between Octaves demonstrates how calligraphic lanterns and material palettes can anchor oriental identity within western-centric environments. Future mall-based concepts may follow suit, embedding localized craft into standardized retail shells.- This approach will ripple into pop-ups and global outposts, where context-sensitive detailing becomes a hallmark of authenticity.Inspiring Taiwan’s Design Community- Taiwanese studios will leverage this award as proof that local ingenuity competes internationally, fueling investment in research around acoustic diffusers, ritual circulation, and performative lighting.- Academic and professional dialogue will deepen around “Isshokenmei” as a guiding principle, translating dedication to craftsmanship into spatial form.Global Influence on Contemporary Restaurant Design- Across Asia, Europe, and North America, expect to see more ramen-style eateries—and beyond—adopting O-shaped flows, visible service ports, and narrative lighting to craft immersive dining journeys.- The industry will move toward blending rapid-deploy methods with poetic detailing, demonstrating that efficiency and emotional impact need not be mutually exclusive.
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