jean de lessard fits japanese restaurant with recycled timber

jean de lessard fits japanese restaurant with recycled timber
photo © adrien williams
all images courtesy of jean de lessard, designers créatifs

canadian designer jean de lessard has transformed the interiors of a japanese restaurant in downtown montreal. the project explores the interactions that occur between diners at eating establishments, seating guests in an intimate and enclosed environment. this notion of confinement is further manifested through the restaurant’s internal façades which take on fractal geometries through angled planes. the vertical drop of 4 to 5 feet between the front and rear parts of the ceiling contributes to the cocoon effect.

the project explores the interactions that occur between diners at eating establishments
photo © adrien williams

‘for a space to become event or emotion, it must generate its own energy. I designed an enclosed space that is totally focused on the business of partying. the design elements are deliberately oppressive or aggressive, so that it is anarchic, rough and where we are loudly heckled’, explains jean de lessard.

guests are seated in an intimate and enclosed environment
photos © adrien williams

the tavern-style interior is constructed from recycled timber sourced from local barns, and covered with various drawings and graffiti which emphasize the urban and rugged nature of the design. the space is composed of origami-style triangles of various sizes, crookedly placed in a random fashion.

‘jean told me what he wanted to feel in this place. where one had to be cramped also. it’s a fantasy cave where people are in a constant visual exploration mode’, says artist carpenter dominic samson who built the structure.

the tavern-style interior is constructed from recycled timber sourced from local barns
photo © adrien williams

the notion of confinement is further manifested through the restaurant’s internal façades
photos © adrien williams

various drawings and graffiti emphasize the urban and rugged nature of the restaurant
photo © adrien williams

the vertical drop of 4 to 5 feet between the front and rear parts of the ceiling contributes to the cocoon effect
photos © adrien williams

floor plan and interior elevation indicating the angled nature of the wall panels

project info:

location: montreal, canada
client: kinoya
design: jean de lessard
general contractor: pure renovation
woodworking: dominic samson, solution durable
material: hemlock and white spruce. reuse of furniture and lighting system from previous kinoya
overall surface area: 1,500 square feet (23 feet x 75 feet)
dining area surface: around 800 square feet
capacity: 60 places
photography: adrien williams