-Creating new community value in a suburban eyewear store-

This is a suburban roadside store of the eyewear brand JINS. The store is more than just a retail store; it is a place that is open to the community, a park-like place where anyone can stop by and stay on a daily basis, from children and their parents to the elderly, in addition to purchasing eyeglasses. Despite the small site, we designed a space that feels like a park, where all the places spread out in a three-dimensional and panoramic view. Visitors enjoy spending time at their favorite places as if they were having a picnic.

Our challenge was to reconsider the value of suburban retail stores. In contrast to stores in shopping malls, stores where customers drive to, the purpose of the customer's visit is changing. Because purchasing products is becoming more convenient and quicker with the spread of online shopping.

The site was located in a residential area with various generations.

Therefore, we proposed to create a park-like place where anyone can stop by and stay on a daily basis, from children and parents, as well as elderly, not only for the purpose of purchasing eyeglasses.

The exterior form gives a different impression depending on the angle and place from which it’s viewed. The polygonal surface designed by adjusting to match the surrounding environment creates an optical illusion, making the copper box appear to float lightly.

The exterior are made of copper-clad that have been carefully sulfidized by hand. It changes color and appearance from moment to moment with the tilt of the sun, echoing Mt. Akagi, the symbol of the region.

At night, light shines on the edges of the copper bent, creating stripes of light like a shooting stars, attracting people passing by.

JINSPARK has actively created open space beyond the sales area, such as a rooftop terrace, a grand staircase, and a green garden, and added a bakery-cafe to encourage customers to visit the store for the purpose of staying in the area.

Eyewear brand JINS was developing the concept of JINS PARK with us,decided to operate the bakery-cafe as a new business venture. The addition of the bakery-cafe has encouraged neighbors to visit on a daily basis, and more and more people are coming with bread and coffee to rest or take a walk in the garden or on the grand staircase.

In an effort to make JINS PARK function as a place for neighbors, JINS plans events or holds resident-led events, making JINS PARK a kind of community plaza.

The combination of the park-like store design and the management team that makes the most of it has created an unprecedented retail experience.

The message we have learned through this project is that the future of retail stores should go beyond shopping to open up to the community and become a place for the community to relax and enjoy their daily lives.

Suburban retail stores have changed their mindset and have become part of the local community, creating a new suburban landscape.