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Vase

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traditional wooden japanese dwelling is transformed into curated apparel store - Masanori Kaneshita
the project was planned retain original appearanceas well as convey new atmosphere onto street front - Masanori Kaneshita
the store showcases the designs of various global classic and avant-garde brands - Masanori Kaneshita
traditional wooden japanese dwelling is transformed into curated apparel store - Masanori Kaneshita

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Comments
Innovation
Functionality
Creativity
Eco-Social Impact
Total
JURY VOTES
Multi-Brand Store
6.38
6.20
6.28
6.70
6.39
David Kulen
David Kulen Creative Director at Powerplant
There's a lot of fun details here,...
8
7
8
7
7.5
Ludmila Machado
Ludmila Machado Founder at Aurora Design
5.2
5.8
5.2
6
5.55
Luca Macri
Luca Macri Partner at Lamatilde
The grafting of the new space in a...
8
6
8
7.5
7.38
Jai Kumaran
Jai Kumaran Partner at West of West
The retained character of the old d...
7.5
6
7
7
6.88
Mark Timo
Mark Timo Founder at De Interieur Club
7
5
5
7
6
Apoorva Shroff
Apoorva Shroff Founder at lyth Design
4.97
5
5
5.86
5.21
Drew Gilbert
Drew Gilbert Design Manager at OBMI
6.34
6.34
6.26
6.34
6.32
Terry Xu
Terry Xu Chief Designer at Masanori Design Studio
6
6
6
7.5
6.38
Liyu Xue
Liyu Xue Founder and Creative Director at Staay
6
8
6
7
6.75
Weiping Lin
Weiping Lin Founder and Design Director at Lin Wei Ping Design Consulting
7
6
6
7
6.5
Michelle Smith
Michelle Smith Associate Designer at M Moser Associates
A good example of minimal intervent...
7
8
8
7.5
7.63
Alessandro Ranaldi
Alessandro Ranaldi Head of Workplace Consultancy at Foster and Partners
6
6
7
7
6.5
Juan Alberto Andrade
Juan Alberto Andrade Founder at Juan Alberto Andrade
5
5
5
5
5
Llisa Demetrios
Llisa Demetrios Chief Curator at The Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity
7
6
6
7
6.5
Isabelle Kievenheim
Isabelle Kievenheim Head of Store Development at & Other Stories H&M Group
6
8
7
7.5
7.13
Yuan Jiang
Yuan Jiang Cofounder at Soda
5
5
5
5
5
Designer
Client
Vase
Floor area
51 ㎡
Completion
2021
Social Media
Instagram
Door Handle
Leather

Along the Meguro River in Tokyo, Japan, Vase, a selected apparel store that features the designs of various classic and avant-garde brands from all over the world. We have transformed a traditional wooden Japanese dwelling into this new store with a refreshed design that fully encompasses and expresses Vase’s brand concept.

The internal space is composed with a variety of different shapes, materials and finishes, reflecting the curated selection of apparel products. We retains and revives the original character of the structure – which previously served as a house – with the addition of white and gray finishes and bespoke fixtures that contrast the exposed wooden frame, refreshing the space. We has renovated and revived the small, previously uninhabitable wooden house by removing the damaged elements, and carrying out minimal repairs using inorganic finishes such as white, gray and mortar, to enhance the character of the exposed wooden frame.

On the second floor, the existing walls are painted gray and the floor is plastered to create a contrast with the existing wooden frame that is left untouched on the ceiling. Externally, We retains the original appearance of the wooden structure with the exception of the entrance area which has been painted white in a continuation of the design language inside and to introduce a new atmosphere to the street. BESPOKE FIXTURES INJECT A NEW CHARACTER TO THE SPACE Internally, the space is composed of a variety of shapes, materials and finishes. The contrast created by the new functionality in the wooden house that retains its old scenery was intended to resonate with the unique products and become a place that is uniquely Vase.

A combination of everyday building materials such as larch plywood, corrugated sheets, galvanized and chromate plating, corrugated cardboard, and glass have been used for the fixtures. Unique, bespoke functional elements such as door handles made of floral vases, undulating corrugated shelves for displaying accessories, hooks for fitting rooms, and leather for hanger pipes have been custom designed by brands represented by Vase. By effectively utilizing familiar building materials, we were able to transform a traditional Japanese wooden structure into an apparel store at a low construction cost.

In addition, by processing the building materials to the minimum necessary and using them as fixtures, we were able to shorten the production process and minimize waste.