VEILANCE Tokyo Store by we+ transforms urban concrete waste into a refined, material-driven retail space that embodies sustainability and innovation. Designed for ARC’TERYX’s urban wear line VEILANCE, this is the brand’s first standalone store in Japan, located in Tokyo.

Japan produces approximately 61.68 million tons of concrete waste annually, with about 4% going directly to landfills. Inspired by this challenge, we+ reimagined discarded concrete as a valuable resource, aligning with VEILANCE’s philosophy of urban adaptability and environmental responsibility.

The design team collected concrete waste from demolition sites across Tokyo—materials otherwise destined for landfill. These were crushed and blended with natural binders to create a new plaster material, used throughout the store’s interior finishes. This process reduces reliance on virgin materials and lowers the environmental footprint of construction, offering a circular design approach that directly addresses Japan’s growing industrial waste problem.

The resulting plaster retains traces of the original concrete’s texture and character, creating a unique aesthetic that resonates with the urban landscape and complements VEILANCE’s minimalist, high-performance ethos. The store’s interior avoids trend-driven designs, instead focusing on timeless, adaptable forms that promote longevity and sustainability.

Beyond its material innovation, the project fosters a deeper connection between the built environment and its urban context. By using materials sourced from Tokyo’s own waste stream, the store embeds the city’s material memory into the shopping experience, creating a quiet homage to its surroundings. The design invites visitors to reflect on the lifecycle of materials and the potential for reuse in everyday spaces.

The techniques developed are scalable and adaptable. The process of transforming concrete waste into interior finishes can be applied across diverse architectural contexts, encouraging designers and architects to rethink waste as a design resource. The project also demonstrates the viability of integrating sustainability seamlessly into retail architecture—without compromising aesthetics or brand identity.

In an era of increasing environmental awareness, the VEILANCE Tokyo Store exemplifies how contemporary design can actively address ecological challenges. Through thoughtful material choices and process innovation, the project not only elevates the customer experience but also sets a new standard for responsible, future-forward retail spaces.