atelier KUU: chico

‘chico’ by atelier KUU images courtesy atelier KUU

osaka-based studio, atelier KUU has designed ‘chico’, a hyper minimalist pet store located in shizuoka japan. centered around an enlarged and simplified dog house –  a motif that is repeated through the space – the design features thick intersecting planes of exposed concrete and smooth white surfaces. large frameless windows cut through the exterior walls and open onto a small green lawn that doubles as a dog park during business hours. accessed through a miniature kennel-shaped door, dogs are given free-reign to both the store and the green space out front while their owners shop.

 a large house-shaped volume conceals secondary functions such as storage

(left) point of purchase (right) displays

floating shelves house a curated collection of pet accessories that relate to the overall aesthetics of the retail outlet

looking into the store from the front lawn

dog park

front facade