Schemata Architects Designs Takeo Kikuchi’s New Eco-Friendly Flagship Store in Shibuya

Menswear brand <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takeo_Kikuchi" target="_blank">Takeo Kikuchi</a> redesigned their flagship store in Shibuya to create a comfortable retail experience to attract customers away from the highly popular online market. The store was designed by Schemata architect <a href="http://schemata.jp/" target="_blank">Jo Nagasaka</a>, who was challenged to create a more enhanced retail experience that would enable customers to absorb the essence of the brand. After the store made its new home in a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/glass-building/" target="_blank">glass-clad building</a>, Nagasaka decided to incorporate natural ventilation.

The building is housed in a traditionally enclosed space.

It previously used typically artificial heating and cooling systems.

The architect reconfigured this concept by installing wood frame windows to allow the building to 'breath'.

The interior design included benches lined along the facade to remove the site from the idea of a traditional shop.

Its lack of cash registers encourage laid-back browsing and purchasing, while the garden and cafe help to form a relaxed atmosphere.

Outside, these concrete stools were cast in bags.