Suupaa restaurant by IF Architecture

In Japan, the konbini, local parlance for convenience store, is a corner stone in the daily life of many urbanites. In Melbourne, a self-proclaimed konbini called Suupaa – mind you, the name is the English transcription of ‘super’ as in ‘supermarket’ – stretches the definition by including a sit-down restaurant on the premises, and it all resonates very well with neighbourhood dwellers. Occupying a street side unit at Sixty-five Dover Cremorne, a newly built mixed-use building in the inner-city Cremorne area, the hybrid hospitality format features an interior design by local practice IF Architecture. Interestingly, the settings are captured by the goshiki traditional Japanese colour system – mind you, it’s actually based on the five-coloured goshiki koi carp – featuring red, black, blue, white, and yellow, creating not only a bold cultural link to the Land of the Rising Sun, but also a visual division between Suupaa‘s retail and hospitality sections. The latter is predominantly in deep blue with contrasting red accents.

The red hue is captured by the blinds and a custom version of the classic corded chair by designer Clement Meadmore, all paired with soft textiles, timber tables, while the pendant lamps that have clearly been inspired by traditional Japanese lanterns. Counterbalancing the space’s angular rigidity, organic forms are introduced via freestanding stainless steel tables which have multiple functions, from indoor/outdoor dining to displays and service elements. Open tiered shelving, thoughtfully lined with authentic Japanese products, connect Suupaa‘s dining and retail sections. The takeaway space and bar is all-white, marked by a sizeable light box dangling from the ceiling which indicates the continuously evolving menu and other information. Here, merchandising follows a strict grid, framing modular packaging like curated artefacts. Smaller items, such as chopsticks and wasabi, are discreetly housed in precisely crafted recesses within the tiled point-of-sale joinery, contributing to the overall graphic composition. © superfuture