The Japanese studio cuts the shopfront at 45°, inviting passers-by to the entrance and showing the pastries in an attractive way. The store concept is inspired by the traditional Swedish coffee break, which in its original language is known as Fika. The interior is therefore designed in a Nordic and essential style.

Inside Fikafabriken is a new long counter folding according to the inclination of the entrance wall and allowing direct contact between traders and the outside, as well as four more seats than the previous configuration, which remains intact in the inner part of the lot.

The office’s work reminds us of the Pet Architectures catalogued by Atelier Bow Wow in a series of publications: small-scale projects in ultra-dense urban contexts which optimise the use of every available square centimetre. Instead of disrupting the layout and furnishings of the cafeteria, Small Scale Projects has simply rethought its relationship with the outside and its public image.

"The owner of Fikafabriken (Ai Sekeguchi) started studying 'Swedish Konditorei Style' by herself after studying in Sweden, and tried to convey the 'Fika culture' by making cakes at the place where she grew up," the studio told Domus. 

"People of various nationalities can gather in this shop and feel a new culture of life, which is the movement of the younger generation of Tokyo today."

"Tokyo is accelerating to the 2020 Olympics and major developments in the centre are taking place," they add. "However, the younger generations try to develop their attractiveness with small activities in local area."