What We Do | Chalk Lane – Luxury Renovations & Heritage Home Design in Japan
We work across both residential and commercial projects, from concept through to completion, with a focus on sustainable design and beautifully styled spaces. Our projects are big, small, and everything in between.
Why choose Chalk Lane?
At Chalk Lane, our difference lies in the details. We approach every project as a bespoke creation, not a template, ensuring each home reflects genuine craftsmanship, enduring quality, and respect for its architectural story. Where many companies claim to work with heritage homes, few truly understand how to preserve the home’s unique character and spirit. Our focus is on maintaining and enhancing the heritage and history of each property, restoring traditional elements with care while integrating modern comfort and functionality with precision.
Unlike the many low-quality, profit-driven renovation firms that sacrifice authenticity for cost, we work only with trusted Japanese artisans and tradespeople who share our commitment to excellence. Every Chalk Lane project blends Western design sensibility with Japanese craftsmanship, resulting in homes that are thoughtful, timeless, and built to last - spaces that honour the past while embracing contemporary living.
Meet the Team
Sophie Lucas
Interior Architect | Director
With over 20 years of experience in Interior Architecture and Design, Sophie brings a refined eye and an exceptional depth of knowledge to every project. Based in Japan, she specialises in high-end residential renovations and heritage property restorations, crafting interiors that balance modern luxury with traditional Japanese sensibility.
Her approach is rooted in the belief that a home should feel as good as it looks - spaces that are not only beautiful but deeply harmonious and intuitive to live in. Sophie is known for her ability to interpret each client’s vision with sensitivity, creating bespoke interiors that reflect their lifestyle, values, and sense of place.
From concept design through to completion, she combines creativity with technical precision and meticulous attention to detail. Her designs are shaped by texture, proportion, and a deep respect for craftsmanship - qualities that have become the hallmark of Chalk Lane’s design philosophy.
Holding a Bachelor of Design (Interior) from Swinburne University of Technology and DAAP University of Cincinnati, along with a Diploma of Art (Interior Decoration and Design) from RMIT, Sophie’s education and international experience have given her a strong foundation in both creative and architectural design disciplines.
Her work across Kyoto, Tokyo, and Shiga continues to redefine luxury interior design in Japan, blending contemporary refinement with architectural heritage to create spaces that feel timeless, balanced, and uniquely personal.
Dr Benjy Trenkner
Operations | Co-Founder
With over 20 years of experience as the owner and head practitioner of a successful Acupuncture and Japanese Herbal Medicine clinic in Melbourne, Australia, Benjy brings a distinctly holistic perspective to the way Chalk Lane Company operates. His background in traditional medicine has shaped his approach to business - calm, precise, and deeply attuned to balance, flow, and long-term sustainability.
At Chalk Lane, Benjy oversees the daily operations, ensuring that each project runs smoothly from first consultation through to completion. He combines analytical insight with intuitive understanding, bridging design, construction, and client experience to maintain the highest level of care and detail across all projects.
Drawing from his years of clinical practice, Benjy applies the same principles of harmony and energy flow to the rhythm of the company’s work - aligning people, process, and purpose. His leadership supports Chalk Lane’s commitment to bespoke design, heritage property renovation, and high-end residential projects throughout Kyoto, Osaka, Tokyo, and Shiga.
Benjy’s experience in Japanese culture and holistic wellbeing also informs the ethos behind Chalk Lane’s philosophy: that a well-designed home, like a well-balanced body, is one where energy flows freely, and every element works in harmony.