French XIXth Apothecary in Tokyo is a surreal encounter of two contradicting countries and eras in one space that is cut exactly in half. The right half refers to the Paris of the past with sophisticated carpentry, woodwork, noble marble and the warm colours of bronze and brass. The intense light of the left half gives the impression of a futuristic and clinical modern pharmacy from 21st, if not 22nd century Japan.

The openings within concrete walls are filled with translucent luminous blocks, which clearly show the plants and flowers stuck inside the resin. With the appearance of antique preservative jars, each block shines in the natural light.

The glass windows of the cabinets shine with mysterious blue lights, creating a cold and clinical atmosphere. The space is perfectly divided in half, with a golden brass line in the middle of the boutique to indicate the contradicting spaces while harmonizing critical eras.

Inspired by the Japanese kintsugi technique which repairs broken ceramics with gold powder, the bi-cultural space embodies the value of unity and embracing the different.