TORAFU ARCHITECTS

A listening bar produced by COMBO, the representative of NUBIAN, was planned at a discreet location in Shibuya (address undisclosed). In a secluded commercial building with one tenant per floor, the space offers visitors an authentic listening experience with a focus on acoustics.

Beyond an existing steel door, used initially as a back entrance and left untouched, a dimly lit interior spans. VIP seating was arranged encircling the DJ counter and custom-made speakers above, and counter seating with a luminous top was placed opposite, across the central seating area. The U-shaped sofa-enclosed VIP seats, where visitors can enjoy music right next to the DJ counter, evoke a chef's table adjacent to the kitchen. The wall behind the DJ counter displays rare records, mainly Japanese jazz from the 60s and 70s. The counter seating with a quartz granite top that transmits light appears to float faintly in the dimness against a backdrop of gold curtains. Custom-made lounge chairs and sofas with a low center of gravity allow for relaxed music appreciation in the central seating area. The rough texture of the existing concrete walls and existing shutters are lit up with two-tone color LED lighting, subtly blending contemporary elements into a space that retains the authenticity of its materials. In terms of acoustics, the space design aimed for a sound field where tradition and cutting-edge coexist, based on Mr. COMBO's deep knowledge of music. The main speakers were produced by OJAS, a New York speaker brand led by Devon Turnbull. A DJ counter embedding three vintage record player masterpieces with different characteristics—the Garrard 301 and Technics' SL series—is positioned at the center of the speakers.

Despite its small scale, we planned the space design to accommodate various situations where people could enjoy music.