"INHABITANT STORE TOKYO" by Torafu Architects
architecture , feature
photo(C)Daici Ano
Tokyo practice Torafu Architects completed "INHABITANT STORE TOKYO" in Tokyo, Japan.
photo(C)Daici Ano
The following is a text by the architects.
********
INHABITANT STORE TOKYO
Fostering happenings through mutual relationships
The INHABITANT STORE TOKYO opened in Harajuku's Cat Street as the lifestyle/sport brand's flagship store. "Playfulness" and "Japaneseness" are the embodiment of INHABITANT's freestyle expression of modern Japanese taste and which inspired us to envision a space thriving with the spontaneity of a casual stroll through the area known as "the back of Harajuku".
On each of the two floors, long plates cross diagonally the display areas with fitting rooms and counters positioned at a comfortable distance from them. Shoppers are greeted by a long plate on the first floor that can be used as a table to put articles on display, work or serve as a catwalk for special events. The edge of the plate becomes a step to the stairwell leading to the second floor where a suspended plate emerging from the wall welcomes customers like an overhead gate before extending diagonally into the display area holding hanger racks on its bottom side and multi-directional spotlights on its top to showcase the hexagonal tortoise-shell patterns spreading like clouds on the ceiling. Artist Asao Tokolo elaborated two patterns, whose every edge will always match every other, which can be seen encroaching on the floors, ceilings, walls and columns all over the store.
By capitalizing on the mutual relationship of the smaller units composing it, we strived to create a space that would in turn blend in with the small boutiques and residences that make up "the back of Harajuku".
