For the new Isakaya Kinoya, JEAN DE LESSARD - DESIGNERS CRÉATIFS  design firm chose to explore the orthogonality and the verticality of space. The morphology of the narrow two-story premises located on Bishop Street, in Montreal, lends itself perfectly to it.

If the function and aesthetics are in line with the first Kinoya, this time the tunnel effect is amplified, on the ground floor and first floor, thanks to the assembly of polygons that are partially concealing the original masonry that was preserved for its rough appearance and for the sake of the economy of materials. Encroaching on the circulation axes, the wooden geometries dictate a zigzag path along which basic furniture and platforms are organized. Furthermore, they unfurl in the remodeled kitchen on the ground floor and around the bar counter upstairs, forming nooks and crannies that seem to confine the diners while the alternation of materials of different opacity offers entertaining points of view.

The key element of the project is an imposing scaffolding of metal grids made to order in the workshop and assembled on the spot. This stalagmite painted in yellow that rises to the top of the floor hides the staircase from view. Its unrefined workmanship enhances the "rough" plasticity typical of an izakaya. 

The 50,000 stickers that adorn the structure add a dynamic irreverent note. The yellow here evokes the connotation of tumult that befits a shabby café one can imagine at the end of a dark alley.

Technical specifications

Client: Kinoya

Design: JEAN DE LESSARD - DESIGNERS CRÉATIFS

Project coordinator: Claire McKenzie

Materials: local barn timber, concrete, metal, vinyl, existing tile, existing masonry painted grey

Parameters: ground floor, 1,500 square feet and first floor, 905 square feet

Capacity: 115 places

Grid structure construction: LED Alliance

Grid structure size: 1,500 square feet

Illustrations: Jean de Lessard + Kinoya

Graphic printing: Unidé Graphique

Date of completion: September 2019

About JEAN DE LESSARD - DESIGNERS CRÉATIFS

Under the direction of principal designer Jean de Lessard, who’s combining more than 30 years of design practice in various sectors, the firm jean de lessard – designers créatifs is designing a diversity of vocational spaces, including restaurants, hotels, offices, and boutiques.

A laureate of the A.R.E Gold Award (Las Vegas), Iconic Design Awards (Munich), Interior Design’s Best of Year Awards (NYC), Best of Canada Design Awards (Toronto) and Prix Bois Design (Quebec City), the firm has won London’s Best of Minimalist Interior Design and the Restaurants & Bars Design Awards; as well as prestigious awards from the Association of Retail Environment (Chicago). Widely published internationally, their projects are rewarded time and again at the Grands Prix du Design (Montreal) and the International Property Awards (London).