Naya Lab Celebrate Japanese Folklore in This Conceptual Restaurant

In Japanese culture and tradition, toys hold special meaning and significance as they are passed down through generations for centuries. In this conceptual design of a Japanese restaurant and bar by Cairo-based design studio Naya Lab, the cherished items are displayed across each space. We’re not talking about Attack On Titan figurines, instead it’s the likes of Daruma, the classic doll of a red Zen monk meditating in the foyer’s wall display facing the restaurant’s logo which was created by branding designer Nour Selim.

“Mago is Japanese for ‘grandchild’ and the archetype of a grandchild encourages playfulness and creativity,” Yasmin Hamza, co-founder of Naya Lab, tells #SceneHome. Hamza founded the research oriented design studio along with Nada Shalaby in 2017. “The goal was to create a physical experience that alludes to the typical traits of a grandchild while staying true to the distinctive features of Japanese design.”

Beyond the solid pink wall in the foyer, with its coral undertone and fairytale pink frames, the furniture and columns of the space carry a mint green shade. The centrepiece of the space is a chandelier made out of a plethora of figurines. It hangs from the design’s sloped ceiling. If this design is materialised and you find yourself standing in front of a Daruma, it’s customary to draw in its left eye to make a wish and its right eye when the wish comes true.