Leaving Space Unfinished

Shibuya TSUTAYA, which opened in December 1999, facing the notable Shibuya Crossing, has long served as TSUTAYA's flagship store for buying or renting entertainment content including movies, music, books, comics, and games. In 2024, the store underwent a major transformation with the slogan “Create the World with What You Love.” Embracing its mission to become a cultural landmark, it now celebrates the creativity of content makers, aiming to make the world more exciting and enjoyable through the power of Japanese content.

The new concept was developed over several years, starting with a structural overhaul to maximize usable space by stripping the building back to its framework. The first step was streamlining the main flows of movement. The entrance on the first floor was expanded by adjusting the angle of the sash doors, while a diagonal sub-entrance was added on the Center-Gai side. The building, which spans two basement levels and seven above-ground floors, uses escalators to move between floors, creating a vertical flow. To enhance spatial connectivity and visibility, all non-essential elements beyond legal requirements were removed. The core areas, including the rear spaces, were redesigned to maximize floor space on each level and serve as a neutral backdrop, even in their raw state.

The skeletonized spaces were unified with gray materials to distinguish them from elements added later. This left a canvas-like gray tone across the building, ready for future transformations. Shibuya, a hub of creative energy, thrives on constant evolution and embraces its unfinished nature, where flexibility is the key to its charm and potential. Inspired by this dynamic image, each floor and content area was designed to be distinct, yet intentionally left “incomplete.” By leaving room for evolution and interpretation, Shibuya TSUTAYA remains a vibrant and ever-adapting environment that reflects the spirit of its surroundings.