Japanese studio General Design have completed a tall narrow concrete flagship store with no windows for a clothing brand in Nagoya, Japan.
Called Lad Musician Nagoya, the building consists of an enclosed concrete box with three skylights in the roof.
The interior features three split levels and uses only three materials: concrete, oak and galvanised steel.
Photographs are by Daici Ano.
Here’s some text from the architects:
–
LAD MUSICIAN NAGOYA
We were approached by a prestigious apparel brand to design its new flagship store in Nagoya, Japan.
Conceptually, a concrete shell was created completely shutting out the sides while allowing its interior space to be filled with light by three skylights from above.
Intentionally playing with one’s visual perception, interior space transforms from a low ceiling-intimate space into a 10 meter-high space with soft light coming in from above. The stairs then leads to a fitting space on the top floor filled with light streaming down from the skylights.
Playing with light and shadow, the interior is designed to differentiate spaces with different degrees of lightness though the physical space itself is still perceived as a whole.
The building materials are intentionally limited to three: rough concrete, plain oak, and zinc-processed steel. Rough concrete is chosen over a smooth refined one because it gives a powerful feeling reminiscent of civil engineering work that has withstood the test of time.
Our design intention for this flagship store was to avoid a cosmetic approach of interior design by integrating more architectural concepts emphasizing beauty and strength of space and materials.
LAD MUSICIAN NAGOYA
LOCATION:NAKA-KU NAGOYA
SITE AREA:82.99m2
BUILT AREA:64.04m2
TOTAL FLOOR AREA:114.88m2
STRUCTURAL SYSTEM: REINFORCED CONCRETE
January 14th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
really like the concrete surface! raw n sensual!
the spice is nice too… looks very inspiring to me… only the artificial light is annoying… cant understand the light between floor and wall… so annoying
January 14th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
what an entrance!!!!! (third image)
January 14th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
Brutal. Interesting, though.
January 14th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
But it is not wheelchair accessible….
January 14th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
like the early Tadao Ando, very radical, harsh, yet appealing.
January 14th, 2010 at 5:04 pm
@Mystie
It’s Japan… They don’t care about it.
It’s still great a design.
January 14th, 2010 at 5:13 pm
harsh severe. would make a great dance club!
January 14th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
IS much of anything wheelchair accessible in Japan?
January 14th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
solitary jail cell
January 14th, 2010 at 5:38 pm
The Spirit & Atomsphere are very closed to Tadao Ando’s projects.
January 14th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
funereal.. i would live in it.. like a monks retreat
January 14th, 2010 at 6:14 pm
the indulgence of architects….is it there first time?
January 14th, 2010 at 7:07 pm
Powerfully innovative!
January 14th, 2010 at 7:18 pm
Wish all clients were this open-minded! I think this is great!
January 14th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
Uncomprimising, I like it.
January 14th, 2010 at 7:20 pm
by the way, not only it’s not wheelchair accessible, but the 2F stairs are quite steep! Look at the section.
January 14th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
concrete+concrete+concrete, it’s just a closed cube…intriguing.
January 14th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
Looks like an SM club from outside.
Where are the clothes by the way? I am really tired of all those Japanese projects with completely empty interiors.
January 15th, 2010 at 2:45 am
if that was a jail.
i would confess to public urination any time
January 15th, 2010 at 4:42 am
Great.
In Japan they would carry you upstairs if you come in a wheelchair.
January 15th, 2010 at 6:38 am
That’s the greatest idea ever. They are selling the emperor’s clothes.
January 15th, 2010 at 8:17 am
a beautiful project – well done. nicely managed sequence of spaces (including deliberately low entrance) within an austere shell. I like the recessed light detail – I’m sure it adds a lot at night.
January 15th, 2010 at 11:18 am
Beautiful! I don’t even miss the windows…
January 15th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
Interior layout is AMAZING. But the sun is our friend. Why hate her light so?
January 15th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
the concrete work is superb!
very strong and uncompromising space…
January 17th, 2010 at 1:44 am
i wonder how the space feels like when the shop put in their clothes and everything… squeeze people…
January 17th, 2010 at 11:00 pm
@th I wouldnt worrry they probably just display 2 socks and a t-shirt….
via holographic projection.
the japanese are CRAY-ZAY.
crazy awesome that is.
January 18th, 2010 at 3:32 am
In Japan people in wheel chairs wouldn’t even be able to reach the store front, so if it’s accessible or not is a moot point.
I wonder about the insulation though. Oh, I forgot, this is Japan. We don’t do insulation here.
Beautiful building though.
January 18th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
The hard wood floor and underlighting are your only assurances that you are not to be interrogated.
January 20th, 2010 at 10:51 am
what?
how do people make such bizzare comments!
its japan, buildings are small, you do sqeeze through stores, you do scale steep stair cases.
the light in this project is a miracle….architects are not indulging themselves, they are indulging anyone who walks into this building in a miracle!