Nohohon selected Makeshift Studio to manage three major components of its rebranding and store relocation. Tasked with renovating the new location, building custom furniture and millwork, and managing a fundraising and promotional campaign, Makeshift Studio split into design teams. Julian led the design-build team to produce custom showpiece furniture throughout the store.

The venue was designed for two-phase construction, with the lower floor containing public amenities such as a bar, dining area, and formal garden, and the second-phase upstairs reserved for more private events such as tea ceremonies, art showings, and back office space.

The centerpiece of the store was the front bar, designed in close collaboration with the client to ensure that choice of materials, design of workflow, and interaction with patrons would not interrupt or disrespect the delicate traditions around Japanese Tea. At the same time, this project was an experiment for both Nohohon and Makeshift to design something new and innovative for Toronto’s Japanese community and the ceremonial tea culture at large. The team experimented with new methods of joinery, combinations of wood, and methods of treatment inspired by traditional Japanese techniques of sashimono and shou sugi ban.