'aesop aoyama shop' by schemata architecture office in tokyo, japan
all images courtesy schemata architecture office
photographer: alessio guarino


japanese architect jo nagasaka of schemata has designed the first aesop shop in tokyo.
housed in the asada building in aoyama, where a produce store used to stand, the renovation project largely incorporates
wasted materials from an abandoned house in nakano-ku to create a simple retail space that fuses the traditional with the modern.



view from the entrance


approaching the design process in an almost formulaic manner, nagasaka combined
the skeleton of the produce store, materials of the soon-to-be-demolished 'murazawa house',
and the transformative behaviour of architecture in which new purposes and programs arise
from old sets, to create a transparent store that reflects aesop's range of hair and skin products.
the display stands are constructed from bundles of wood columns from the old residence;
the shelfs are created from used wooden panels; details such as the door handles,
washroom mirrors, and testing stations all incorporate upcycled materials.



counter space



washing sinks integrated to the display wall















(left) display wall
(top right) entrance
(bottom right) old murazawa house



(top row: left to right)
tester boxes are made out of an old medicine box from the murazawa house
door handles are made from steel with bits of old wooden furniture from the murazawa
product wall is constructed from refurbished old wood
display areas are made from the columns of the murazawa house

(bottom row: left to right)
water pipes are made visible by digging a long ditch and pouring epoxy resin over the pipes
man holes are also treated the same way with epoxy resin
mirrors in the washroom are from an old dresser from the murazawa house
gaishi-biki is the same old style japanese electrical system often found in old wooden houses



floor plan



section


project info:

principal use: shop
structure: reinforced concrete
total floor area: 74.89 m2
office area: 28.66 m2
shop area: 46.23 m2
construction: sekiguchi corporation
epoxy: syuhei nakamura