AKA (interior)

>>Modern Teppanyaki is a style of Japanese cooking that uses a heated, flat-surface hot plate to cook food, and is derived from the Japanese ‘Teppan’ which means iron plate, and ‘Yaki’ which means grilled.<<

Project Type: Restaurant
Client: AKA Teppan
Status: Built, May 2015
Location: Toronto, Canada
Design Team: Norman Ung, Abdul Yeung, Peter Lampard, Tony Lai, Hazel Yuen, Casey Chun
Description: Shopfront design, Interior design and construction in Toronto, Canada (1800sq.ft.)

There's no shortage of excellent Japanese restaurants in Toronto. But this eatery (AKA Teppan) - from the more serene, minimalist design features to the massive influence of Japanese cuisine feature stunning and functional interiors in addition to delicious food, offering unique experiences through their decor.
AKA is a Japanese restaurant brand whose cuisine combines a host of unique teppan recipes with an equally distinctive dining experience. Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, AKA offers a relaxed contemporary dining experience with quality and traditional décor.

The AKA space
For AKA Teppan, we wanted to take a restaurant concept people know and grew up with and turn it into something they’ve never experienced before. So much more than taste, though, the storefront design, interiors and construction of AKA Teppan aims to tell you a story about the land, its cuisine and a dinning experience you would expect with every meal.

Sustainable meets sociable
Designed to capture the essence and operational side of the restaurant, DEFT worked closely with AKA Teppan from concept stage through to opening day. The custom-designed furniture and ceiling panels are based on the clean and straightforward logo design and extensive use was made of local craftsmen to fabricate the fixtures that were conceived and originally custom-designed in the DEFT studio.

Project innovation/need
The design by DEFT for AKA Teppan’s new downtown Toronto location reflects the client’s move towards a higher-end dining experience. With a desire to create a more relaxing environment where customers would prefer to stay for after-dinner drinks and dessert, DEFT imagined an experience similar to that of a side-street izakaya in Tokyo, with intricate wooden detailing and warm materials.

A sizzling good time
DEFT designed a bar and panelised feature wall utilising CNC (Computer Numerical Control technology) to highlight one wall, while creating long bench seating on the opposite side and low tables and benches down the middle. Towards the rear, a VIP booth for 6 people is concealed with a fabric curtain. Meticulous about the finer details as well as the overall creative process, DEFT succeeded in making every aspect of this restaurant personal and individual, providing the customers with a dynamic take on Japanese cuisine.

Hybrid heaven
Every aspect of the interior, from the furniture to the wood-panelled ceiling fittings are customised pieces, perfectly tailored for the client’s needs. Our local strength, knowledge, and relationships, coupled with our world-class expertise allowed us to meet AKA’s needs in a more creative and personalised way.

Unlocking the value
With a modern twist on Japanese cuisine, the restaurant respects the harmony, balance and traditional concepts behind Teppan and AKA Teppan stands out for having turned a corner on traditional Japanese cookery. With a beautiful atmosphere, mouth watering food, friendly staff, great service and authentic Japanese flavours, AKA Teppan makes for the perfect dining option. The end result is an interactive and inviting teppan experience within a unique space.