＜ Audio-visual Installation : Special Case ＞ QUARO × SUPPOSE DESIGN OFFICE × Nippon Rediffusion Limited Acoustic Design to Awaken the Five Senses

"Sound falls from above..." Immersed in a new coffee experience that awakens the senses

QUARO — Viewed from Cat Street

Sasaki: QUARO is a single 4-storey building, named by combining "QUAD / QUATTRO" (=4) and "RO" (濾 / filtration). The name reflects two key concepts: the building's four levels and the coffee brewing process.
It was born from the owner's vision to create a place away from the hustle and bustle of vibrant Ura-Harajuku, where visitors can "reconnect with their own five senses". We are meticulous about every detail—from the aroma and flavour of the coffee to the warmth of the lighting and the flow of music. Floors B1 through 2F serve coffee, with each floor offering a distinct concept, menu, and inspirational experience for our guests.
Our owner has a deep passion for exploration, curating a unique collection of coffee extraction tools that individuals would rarely own, bringing careful intentionality to every single element.

Ayato Sasaki, Manager, QUARO

Sen: When working on the spatial design, the owner mentioned wanting to use specific brands of speakers. However, determining whether they would fit the physical space required very precise calculations, and we also needed to consider the budget.
So, we reached out to Nippon Rediffusion, a company handling a wide range of audio equipment—including overseas brands—to design the acoustics. We worked together while keeping the owner's requests in mind.

Itoh: We were tasked with a unique acoustic design, including one where sound literally "falls from a hole in the ceiling". Itʼs rare to work on a project like QUARO, where every floor has a distinct concept requiring an entirely tailored sound design. We carefully selected and installed optimal audio equipment for each floor while maintaining harmony between the concept and interior design.

Sasaki: Drinking a cup of coffee in a silent room versus where music plays yields completely different sensory experiences, and directly impacts how you perceive the taste. Music, which stimulates one of the five senses, is a crucial element for a café.
Given our location in Ura-Harajuku, about 80% of QUARO's guests are international visitors.
Going out for morning coffee is deeply ingrained in many foreign cultures, so some guests visit us every morning during their stay in Tokyo. We often hear comments like, "The flavour and ambiance are both amazing—this is the best!"

B1: A light-filled ceiling aperture emitting sound — An immersive world of coffee

B1 — ALCHEMY: Special reservation-only course

Sen: For the basement, “Alchemy”, we wanted to offer QUARO's most luxurious experience. The ceiling features a circular aperture like an opening in the sky, from which both light and sound flow downward.

Itoh: When Ms. Sen explained her spatial design concept of "light pouring down from an opening in the ceiling," an idea struck me: "What if we designed the audio so the sound falls from above as well?"
In addition to music, natural sounds like birds chirping flow from the ceiling. We installed two Italian brand K-ARRAYʼs Anakonda-KAN200+8 flexible speakers along the circumference of this aperture so that it is unseen from below.
Once installed, the effect exceeded our expectations—the sound truly feels as if it originates right from the ceiling opening. The flexible design of the Anakonda-KAN200+8 allows it to adapt to any shape, but this was our first time installing it in such a style.

Kagetsu Sen, SUPPOSE DESIGN OFFICE

Sasaki: From the moment we guide guests down to the basement in the elevator, they are often awed by the atmosphere. On this floor, we offer a special coffee course available only at a select few cafes in Tokyo (Fully advance reservation required; see details at the end of the article).
Regarding the sound, guests often remark, "It feels as if the music is falling from above and gently wrapping around me," or "Being here feels almost surreal." They are drawn into a world they've never experienced, fully immersing their senses in the rich flavours of coffee.

Itoh: Beneath the counter fixtures, we installed two K-ARRAY Rumble-KU26 subwoofers dedicated to low frequency range. Because the subwoofers firmly anchor the bass, the high frequency range sounds beautifully crisp and sparkling as they descend from the ceiling.

Sen: Since the subwoofers are installed close to the floor, you can barely tell where the actual sound source is.

Itoh: The subwoofers make all the audio sound smooth and refined. We fine-tuned the acoustic profile so you cannot tell the bass sound is coming from below.

Sen: Sipping coffee while listening closely to the sound falling from the ceiling feels like a cleansing experience for the mind. It elevates the space into dignified serenity.

1F: "Where is this music coming from?" Pop tunes flowing from invisible speakers

1F — FLOW: Takeout coffee, soft-serve ice cream, and pastries

Sen: The 1st floor, “FLOW”, serves as the welcoming face of QUARO. We aimed to achieve high sound quality while keeping the physical presence of the speakers completely invisible.
Mr. Itoh proposed American-brand Sonance’s Invisible Series IS8T invisible speakers. By installing them inside the walls and plastering over them, they become completely hidden, allowing the interior design to take center stage. With one speaker set into each side wall, the sound diffuses naturally throughout the space, creating a rich reverberation. I imagine that was Mr. Itoh's intention.

Hiromu Itoh, Nippon Rediffusion Limited

Itoh: Of course, that was the goal, but even I couldn't have predicted how remarkably the entire space—including the ceiling—would resonate.
I suppose placing the speakers above ear level likely contributed to this. We tuned the setup so the soundscape feels as though it hovers softly from above.
Additionally, while background music is usually played in mono, we run it in stereo here. The slightly different audio outputs from the left and right speakers give the sound a rich, distinct presence.

Sen: Normally, you would install ceiling speakers, but that would make the space feel ordinary. So I asked Mr. Itoh for a more conceptual acoustic design.
Since this floor focuses on takeout, they play upbeat music with punchy bass. Compared to other floors, it has a distinctly energetic, pop sound profile.

Sasaki: Most guests have no idea the speakers are embedded in the walls. Because itʼs primarily a take-away floor, guests don't stay long—many quickly drop in, take photos of the interior, and head out.
On bright early summer days, many guests would sit on the rock bench just outside. Since the entrance doors remain open, they can enjoy the music drifting out from inside.

2F: Music takes center stage at night — Rich sound that commands attention

2F — RESONANCE: Relaxed music bar space

Sen: The 2nd floor, “Resonance”, features a music bar with a vinyl record player. During the day, they play comfortable, relaxing BGM, but at night, the space is designed to host events with guest DJs.
To deliver an immersive audio experience, Mr. Itoh recommended and installed two SOKA In-Wall speakers from the French audio brand L-Acoustics.

Itoh: Typically, music bars feature massive, prominent speakers. But if you want a wall-embedded speaker that rivals those heavy setups in both power and sound quality, the L-Acoustics SOKA In-Wall was truly the only option.
We installed the first unit behind the music bar counter where staff stand, and the second unit right near the elevator entrance. Below the second unit, we added an L-Acoustics SB10r In-Wall— a compact, wall-recessed subwoofer dedicated to low frequencies.

Sen: After showing the architectural perspectives, he imported the floor plans into a software (L-Acoustics 3D Simulation Software Soundvision) to determine the optimal placement.
It required a fair amount of imagination to envision how the sound would actually feel.

Itoh: For instance, placing a speaker directly behind a DJ causes the sound to be absorbed by his/her body. But if you place it in the center customer area, it interferes with conversations between guests and staff. We also had to ensure the sound reached the window seating, so we mapped out volume levels and coverage areas to finalise the positioning.

Sasaki: The 2nd floor is designed for guests to linger and savour both coffee and music. Our staff enjoy interacting with guests over the counter, occasionally sharing stories behind the tracks being played. As the sun sets, the atmosphere shifts dramatically into a moody, intimate vibe compared to the morning.

Itoh: Actually, this project marks the very first installation of the L-Acoustics SOKA in-wall speaker in Japan.
L-Acoustics speakers are typically used in live venues, clubs, and music festivals. I first saw the SOKA in-wall model at an overseas audio trade show about a year ago, and was eager to implement it.
When you need power and fidelity for where music takes center stage, but still want a speaker that doesn't disrupt the spatial aesthetic—the L-Acoustics SOKA In-Wall was the perfect match.

Music as the perfect supporting actor: Reconnect with your senses at QUARO

Interview conducted on B1 — A space with view of lush greenery

Sen: When QUARO was completed and the sound system went live, it felt as though one of our core five senses had finally clicked into place. I requested an acoustic design that would complement the interior architecture, and the result is 100% satisfying.

Itoh: The interior is sophisticated and refined, and adding high-fidelity sound transformed it into an organic, comfortable café space. It truly fulfills QUARO's core concept of awakening the five senses.
While music may not be the main star of a café, through this acoustic design, we were able to elevate each floor's concept, making this a deeply rewarding experience.

Sen: The taste and aroma of the coffee, the ambient sounds, and the experience of reconnecting with your senses—these cannot be fully captured through photos or words alone—you simply have to experience it in person!

Sasaki: The coffee course on B1 is available by advance reservation only. Reservations can be made online via TableCheck.
In addition to the course, we also host walk-in days where guests can enjoy filter coffee. Please check QUARO's official Instagram for schedule updates.
It is an exclusive experience designed for a limited number of guests, and we look forward to welcoming you.