For this new 3,200-square-foot restaurant in Edmonton, the goal for Box Interior Design was to create a memorable, modern space that references the Japanese, Chinese, and Korean-influenced cuisine as experienced through the senses of a Western lens.

Drawing inspiration from Asian lacquerware, Juu Ku envelopes each guest in an immersive glowing room to deliver an exotic dining experience.

The space was imagined as an oversized bento-box; immersive, vibrant and red-toned, evoking drama and intimacy in the Pan-Asian restaurant. The design organizes the space into distinct zones including a striking, wood-carved central sushi bar, a dedicated cocktail bar, and cozy dining areas with a variety of seating.

Anchoring the heart of the room, a suspended screen element, lined with a custom mural inspired from traditional yakuza tattoos. Every seat maintains a visual connection to this dynamic focal point, further unified by a continuous line of soft lighting around the room’s perimeter.

To create more ease, textural intervention such as the rustic wood floor, hand-glazed tiles, open ceiling, and adzed wood, loosens the rigor of the lacquer walls. Large-scale works by Edmonton born artist, Tim Okamura add deeper texture and provocative plays on traditional visuals.

The exceptional design showcases a confident monochrome approach, enhanced by a thoughtful and strategic lighting technique to create a sense of immersion into a separate world.

Opened in 2025, the project earned the firm an Award of Excellence in the Food and Beverage category at the 2026 IDIBC Shine Awards.