Sno:la first began dishing out its organic frozen yogurt to the “froyo”-obsessed masses in Beverly Hills, Calif. Its commitment to eco-friendly practices made it a hit among the city’s green-conscious consumers.
For the yogurt chain’s second location, owner Masako Kawashima chose Kyoto, Japan (site of the protocol agreement to reduce international greenhouse gas emissions).
Design firm AkarStudios (Santa Monica, Calif.) sourced reclaimed lumber from locally demolished structures and installed soy-painted concrete floors. Recycled cardboard furniture and countertops constructed from recycled computer chips also decorate the space. Roof-mounted solar panels partially power the yogurt machines.
The retailer dubs its stores a “no plastic” zone, meaning yogurt cups and spoons are made from eco-friendly, biodegradable materials such as sugar cane, corn, wood and potatoes. Additional Sno:la stores are planned for Tokyo and Osaka in Japan, plus New York, Paris and Santa Monica, Calif.
Project Suppliers
Client
Sno:la Inc., Beverly Hills, Calif.
Design
AkarStudios, Santa Monica, Calif.; Sat Garg, design principal; Katie Ellis, designer; Sean Morris, graphic designer
General Contractor
Fujiya, Japan [check]
Outside Design Consultant
Robert Rooze, Los Angeles (kitchen consultant)
Lighting
AkarStudios, Santa Monica, Calif.; Hollywood Lamp & Shade Co., Los Angeles
Furniture
Vitra, where, Germany; Molo, where, Canada; Fujiya, where, Japan
Fixtures
Fujiya, where, Japan
Countertops
Eurostone, Beverly Hills
Flooring
Design Surface Solutions, Santa Ana, Calif.
Fabric
Momentum Group, Irvine, Calif.
Stains
Ecoprocote, Phoenix, Ariz.
Photography: Yuji Ito, Kyoto, Japan