New innovation hub will bring together product development, testing and collaboration with architects and interior designers
Italian appliance manufacturer Elica has strengthened its presence in Japan with the opening of Ariafina Laboratory, a new innovation and co-creation hub in Tokyo designed to support the development of premium kitchen solutions.
Located in Roppongi, one of Tokyo’s established design districts, the facility is aimed at property developers, architects and interior designers, providing a dedicated space for product research, prototype testing and demonstrations.
Ariafina is the brand through which Elica operates in Japan, following its partnership with Japanese range hood manufacturer Fuji Industrial in 2002. The collaboration combines Elica’s expertise in kitchen ventilation and Italian design with local manufacturing knowledge and an understanding of Japanese consumer requirements.
Beyond the traditional showroom
Ariafina Laboratory is intended to operate as more than a conventional product showroom. The hub will provide a setting for industry professionals to explore new kitchen concepts, evaluate products and work with Elica and its partners on tailored solutions for high-end residential projects.
Activities will include research and development, prototype assessments, product demonstrations and industry events, encouraging closer collaboration between the manufacturer and its professional customers.
The facility also reflects Elica’s broader approach to international growth, combining its product development capabilities with local partnerships and market-specific expertise.
Ariachef Pro takes centre stage
Among the products featured at the new hub is Ariachef Pro, a mobile cooking system that integrates cooking and extraction into a single unit. Designed by Elica’s chief design officer, Fabrizio Crisà, the system received the Compasso d’Oro International Award in 2025.
Its inclusion highlights the growing emphasis on integrated kitchen solutions that combine functionality, design and flexibility, particularly in premium residential and hospitality-inspired environments.
Japan remains strategically important
Elica president Francesco Casoli described Japan as a strategically important market for the group, highlighting the relationship between Italian and Japanese design cultures underpinning the Ariafina brand.
Chief executive Luca Barboni said the new Tokyo facility would help strengthen the brand’s identity and showcase Elica’s expertise through a greater focus on research and innovation.
The opening of Ariafina Laboratory reinforces Elica’s long-standing commitment to the Japanese market and creates a new platform for developing premium kitchen appliances and bespoke solutions in collaboration with local industry professionals.
