Design and construction together
One company handles property selection, perspective drawings, interior design, and construction.
SDL
Shop Design Laboratory Your one stop for all your Tokyo interior and store design needs
SDL (Shop Design Laboratory) is your one stop for all your Tokyo interior and store design needs. Our work ranges from restaurants, bars, and clubs to clinics and offices. Consultations are free.
About
Company introduction
From the design to construction of the interiors of restaurants, beauty salons, stores, and more, at the Shop Design Laboratory (SDL), we do not just limit our work to interior design; we aim to realize and implement designs that embody the emotions, lifestyles, and dreams of all those that come to the store, be they staff or customer.
SDL is a design and construction company that provides consistent services that range from property selection and perspective creation, to interior design and construction. When the store opens, it is designed in a way that considers customer convenience, employee workflow, and even the movement of the air in the space.
When you commission both design and construction, design, basic planning, and perspective drawings are provided at no charge. We work in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, and Chiba.
Why us
How we work
Design fee waived with build
When you also commission construction, design, basic planning, and perspective drawings are provided at no charge.
Consultations and estimates are free
You may contact us at any stage. Estimates do not carry a fee.
Regulatory checks and applications
We check the Building Standards Act, the Fire Service Act, public health center requirements, and Tokyo metropolitan ordinances, and file applications on your behalf.
Night work is available
If the location only allows work at night, we can still carry out the interior construction.
Aftercare after opening
We handle even a single light bulb. Please contact us after opening, even with small matters.
Types of work
Businesses we handle
We use our experience in food and drink establishments to also work on apparel company stores, beauty salons, clinics, office interiors, and more. Gallery pages linked below are in Japanese.
Works
A look at completed interiors
Photographs from the current site’s gallery and slideshow. Captions use industry names only.
The Japanese gallery also includes specialty stores, offices, hair salons, clinics, perspective images, and graphic design.
Process
From inquiry to aftercare
Ten steps as explained on the current site’s process page. You may contact us at any stage.
- 01
Inquiry and hearing
After you contact us by phone or form, we discuss your aims, schedule, and budget. In some cases we can provide a rough estimate from the form alone.
- 02
Property viewing and site survey
Viewings take about one hour. We measure the space, check equipment and remaining fixtures, and take photographs.
- 03
Basic design (perspective drawings)
We prepare a plan and design drawings. This typically takes about one week to ten days. These drawings are at no charge when construction is also commissioned.
- 04
Estimate and color scheme
Estimates are usually ready within one week after the design. We obtain samples of finishes and materials for review.
- 05
Regulatory checks and drawing revisions
We check applicable laws and ordinances and prepare applications. Drawings can be revised as many times as needed.
- 06
Cost adjustment, schedule, and funding
We propose cost reductions that do not compromise quality, and can share information on leasing and financing. Night work is available.
- 07
Contract and detailed design
The contract sets out the scope and warranties. Detailed design usually takes about two weeks. Construction insurance is arranged.
- 08
Construction and official applications
Work begins after we greet neighboring premises. The assigned designer supervises the site. We file the required applications on your behalf.
- 09
Handover and inspections
We hand over the premises after final cleaning and a checklist review, and attend official inspections through approval.
- 10
Aftercare
We handle even a single light bulb and keep records of consumables. Please contact us after opening, even with small matters.
Schedule
Published time guides
The bars below show only periods that are written on the current site. Steps without a published duration have no bar. No additional numbers have been added.
01 Inquiry and hearing
Duration not stated
02 Property viewing
About 1 hour
03 Basic design (perspectives)
About 1 week to 10 days
04 Estimate and color scheme
Within 1 week after the design
05 Regulatory checks and revisions
Duration not stated
06 Cost adjustment and schedule
Duration not stated
07 Detailed design
Usually about 2 weeks
08 Construction and applications
Varies by project (see table below)
09 Handover and inspections
Duration not stated
10 Aftercare
After opening
The current site’s FAQ also notes a shortest published case: design in 1 week and construction in 10 days for a 20-tsubo bar. That is an example, not a standard period.
Construction period by type
Figures as printed on the current site’s gallery category pages. Prices are omitted here.
| Type of work | Construction period (as published) | Source page |
|---|---|---|
| Bar | 1–3 weeks | Restaurants / bar gallery |
| Nightclub / cabaret | 3 weeks–60 days | Restaurants / bar gallery |
| Café, restaurant, or dining | 3 weeks–40 days (one published example: 4 weeks) | Restaurants / bar gallery |
| Japanese cuisine, sushi, or yakiniku | 3 weeks–40 days (one published example: 30 days) | Restaurants / bar gallery |
| Specialty stores | 2–3 weeks | Specialty store gallery |
| Apparel stores | 1–3 weeks | Specialty store gallery |
| Office | Published examples: 3 weeks and 2 weeks | Office gallery |
| Hair salon | Published example: 4 weeks | Hair salon gallery |
| Clinic | 1–4 weeks | Clinic gallery |
| Esthetic and other beauty salons | 1–4 weeks | Salon gallery |
| Dance studio or gallery | 2–3 weeks | Salon gallery |
Store-opening chart (roadside restaurant example)
Items from the current site’s opening chart. You may contact us at any stage. Only the items below have a published time note.
- Business plan
- Funding plan
- Property search
- Property viewing
- Property contract
- Selecting other vendors
- Design and planning request
- Construction contract and opening date
- Official applications
- Utility and other applications
- Store name and logo
- Menus, direct mail, and shop cards Order printed matter about 3 weeks before opening
- Site visits during construction
- Attendance at official inspections
- Handover of the completed store
- Fire-prevention manager course
- Training and test run About 1–4 weeks before opening
- Subsidy applications (where they apply)
- Reception A few days before opening is desirable
- Opening day
Area
Where we work
The inquiry form on the current site lists the following areas.
- Tokyo
- Kanagawa
- Saitama
- Chiba
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
A selection from the current site’s Q&A. Questions about unit prices and opening-fund totals are left out here, as the price table is not included in this English edition.
Can I request design and drawings only?
Yes. This is also used when a construction contractor is already decided, when you would like an acquaintance to carry out the work, or when the project is far away. Please contact us to discuss design fees; the fee table is not shown on this English page.
Can you take on a small or simple job?
Our approach is to respond to every kind of need. We deliver even a single light bulb.
What about warranty and aftercare after completion?
The warranty is one year for interior fittings, five years for waterproofing work (two years for urethane), and manufacturer terms for ready-made and branded items. Please call us about even small matters after completion.
How long do design and construction take if the opening date is close?
Doing design and construction together is an advantage for speed. A shortest published case on the current site is design in one week and construction in ten days for a 20-tsubo bar. Please consult us about your schedule.
Is there a fee for an estimate?
No. Estimates are free.
The location only allows work at night. Is that possible?
Yes. Night work is possible.
The property has not been decided yet. Can you help us look?
Yes, we can help. Please tell us the conditions you are looking for.
Can you also prepare menus and shop cards to match the interior?
Yes. We also design printed matter such as menus, invitation cards, shop cards, and direct mail. Website and printed-matter design and printing are charged separately from the construction contract.
Contact
How to reach us
Consultations and estimates are free. The contact form is in Japanese. You may also call or email us.
- Company
- Design Directors Co., Ltd.
- Brand
- 店舗デザインラボ / Shop Design Laboratory (SDL)
- Address
- 〒164-0011
6th Nakano-sakaue Gold-kan, 3rd floor, 2-2-35 Chuo, Nakano Ward, Tokyo
About a one-minute walk from Nakano-sakaue Station on the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line. - TEL
- 03-6279-3077 (international: +81-3-6279-3077)
Weekdays 9:00–18:00 - info@dddd.design
- Area
- Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, and Chiba