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, the difference is in the detail. We don’t treat projects as templates or roll them out on repeat. Every home is approached as its own story, with its own character, history and potential. While plenty of companies say they “do” heritage renovations, very few genuinely understand how to protect what makes a place special. Our focus is on carefully restoring original elements, preserving the spirit of the building, and integrating modern comfort in a way that feels natural and precise rather than forced.
We’re not interested in quick, margin-driven renovations that strip out authenticity to save a few yen. We work closely with trusted Japanese artisans and trades who take real pride in their craft.
The result is a considered blend of Western design sensibility and Japanese workmanship. Homes that feel grounded, refined and built to last. Spaces that respect the past while supporting the way people live today.
Meet the Team
Sophie Lucas
Interior Architect | Director
With over 20 years’ experience in Interior Architecture and Design, Sophie brings a sharp eye and serious depth of knowledge to every project. Now based in Japan, she focuses on mid to high-end residential renovations and heritage restorations, creating interiors that balance contemporary luxury with a distinctly Japanese sensibility.
Her philosophy is simple. A home should feel as good as it looks. Sophie designs spaces that are not just visually polished, but calm, intuitive and genuinely liveable. She has a knack for understanding what clients are really trying to achieve, then translating that into tailored interiors that reflect their lifestyle, values and connection to place.
From early concept through to completion, she pairs creativity with technical rigour and meticulous detailing. Her work is driven by proportion, texture, material integrity and a deep respect for craftsmanship. These principles sit at the core of Chalk Lane’s design approach.
Sophie holds a:
・Bachelor of Design (Interior) from Swinburne University of Technology
・Diploma of Art in Interior Decoration and Design from RMIT
She also studied Commercial Interior Design, including Lighting Design, at DAAP, University of Cincinnati from 2010 to 2011.
Alongside running projects, Sophie has lectured in the final subject of the Bachelor of Commercial Interior Design at Billy Blue in Melbourne since 2016, mentoring graduating designers and helping shape industry-ready outcomes.
Her work across Kyoto, Tokyo, Shiga and Melbourne continues to lift the standard of high-end interior design in Japan, blending contemporary precision with architectural heritage to create spaces that feel timeless, balanced and distinctly personal.
Benjy Trenkner
Operations Lead
With over 20 years running a successful Acupuncture and Japanese Herbal Medicine clinic in Melbourne, Benjy brings a genuinely holistic, systems-based mindset to how Chalk Lane operates. His background in traditional medicine shapes a leadership style that’s steady, considered and focused on balance, flow and long-term thinking, rather than chasing short-term wins.
Alongside his clinical work, Benjy spent three years with a Kyoto-based real estate and renovation company, gaining hands-on experience across the full lifecycle of Japanese property acquisition and refurbishment. During that time, he developed practical expertise in:
• sourcing and assessing properties, including machiya, kominka and urban apartments
• coordinating contractors and overseeing works on site
• managing client relationships across both Japanese and international contexts
• working with heritage-sensitive renovation methods and traditional construction systems
• scheduling, procurement and risk management within live construction environments
That experience gave him a grounded understanding of how projects actually run day to day, not just at a strategic level, but in the real decisions that shape outcomes on site.
At Chalk Lane, Benjy oversees operations end to end, ensuring each project moves smoothly from the initial conversation through to completion. He sits at the intersection of design, construction and client experience, combining structured planning with instinctive judgement to maintain quality, consistency and attention to detail.
His long-standing connection to Japanese culture and holistic wellbeing continues to inform Chalk Lane’s philosophy. A well-designed home, like a well-balanced body, works best when every element is considered, integrated and allowed to function in quiet harmony.