In a corner of the city that is constantly changing through repeated metabolism, we created a store that serves as a reminder that our lives originate in nature and that culture is an extension of it. The materials used are soil from the Mino area, 50km north of the entrance to the site. Humans have been using soil / clay in their daily lives since the distant past through various trials and errors, sometimes as a bowl for meals or a flower vase to add color to their lives, and sometimes as a material for plastering or for tiles to bring expression to architecture.

For this store, too, we aimed to create a space which portrays the process of borrowing from such indeterminate nature and attempting to give form to it. At the same time, by using region-specific materials, we aim to strengthen the indigenous of Aesop, which has many store around the world, and promote sustainability through revitalize local communities. The store was housed in a space distinguished by its two windows. With this in mind, we designed the wall line to gently divide the space into a private area and a public area with the main sink.

The unique site also has a large column which is visible from the window, we aimed to maintaining the aesthetics of the shop visible through the windows, while keeping functionality. Soil from the Mino area was used as a plastering material for the walls taking advantage of the soil’s natural color. Two different colors of clay from different locations in the same area were used to add depth to the space. And wooden wall moldings are a creative use of the traditional Japanese tokonoma (alcove) function, which allows Japanese people to subconsciously feel the transition between spaces even in a minimalist space.

In addition, wood was used for shelves and storage areas where durability was required, and the same soil was powdered to stain the wood used. While metal hardware was used for some of the finishes, such as the water area, we aimed to create a innovative space where the softness and calmness unique to soil coexist in a minimalist atmosphere by drawing out the various expressions created from this single material, soil.