Japanese Cafe & Bar - Oumi
"Warm-toned custom joinery, cedar-cladded walls, and seamless timber bar counters"
Project Story
In this high-profile Tanjong Pagar location, we transformed a commercial space into a cozy, atmospheric Japanese cafe and bar. The architectural centerpiece is a massive, multi-tiered L-shaped wooden barista and drinks counter-bar, crafted from dense natural-finish hardwood to withstand heavy commercial use and wet prep workspaces. The walls are cladded in thick custom-grooved dark cedar and oak wood paneling, featuring integrated floating ledges displaying premium sake bottles and ceramic tableware. Traditional indigo blue noren drapery provides an elegant entrance threshold, while hanging glass pendant bulbs with visible warm filaments create a quiet, cinematic vibe reminiscent of back-alley Kyoto bars. Hand-crafted solid-core wooden stools and matching low-profile tables were custom made in our Kaki Bukit workshop to fit the exact space dimensions perfectly, giving the space an uncompromised feeling of unity and professional craftsmanship.
Architectural Resolutions
- -Multi-tiered hand-planed natural hardwood L-shaped bar counter-bar
- -Kyoto-inspired dark grooved cedar-wood wall cladding with flush joints
- -Bespoke solid-oak bar stools and coordinating minimalist dining furniture
- -Built-in illuminated back-bar shelves for sake display and glassware
- -Kyoto-style suspended indigo noren fabric and custom accent lighting
Project Profile
An authentic Japanese Cafe and Sake Izakaya showcasing rich dark oak cladding, wrap-around counter-bar joinery, warm ambient lighting, and traditional indigo divider systems.
Materials
- -Dense natural moisture-treated white oak hardwoods
- -Solid cedar claddings with protective weather seals
- -Low-VOC fire-retardant rich tobacco-stain wood lacquers
- -Durable structural brass shelf bracing and hand-finished joints