schemata architects remove façade to reveal eyewear brand's timber interior

jo nagasaka / schemata architects has recently completed the renovation of the retail store of jins – one of japan’s most popular eyewear brands. the site is located parallel to a busy highway and out of sight; the shop and a cafe occupies two L-shaped volumes with the circulation wrapping around a square courtyard which simultaneously serves as an outdoor café space.

all images © kenta hasegawa

commissioned by the glasses company, the revitalization saw the tokyo-based studio deciding to remove the exterior walls to reveal the existing timber frame. instead, the façade is paired with low-e glass. this approach opens up the shop interior to the street and initiates views towards the courtyard and the products themselves.

the envelope was replaced with low-e glass

the presentation of the glasses have simply been placed on wooden pull-out drawers, meanwhile graphic identity by kigi introduces visual elements into the shop. the interior design emphasizes the effect of exposing the skeleton of the building, with the new walls added to offset the original frame. furthermore, brick used on the outside has been brought into the space to establish a continuity between in and out. see more retail projects by schemata architects including the the interior for fashion brand mint designs, and also the retail outlet in osaka for descente blanc.

graphic printed walls brings interesting visual elements into the otherwise plain space

the brand commissioned schemata architects to design their ageo shop on the occasion of their 12th anniversary

the removal of the façade opens the interior up to views and light

the wide selection of glasses have been placed on timber drawers

the corridors wrap the courtyard

the parking outside where each allocated parking space have been painting using diagonal stripes

project info:

title: jins ageo
architect: jo nagasaka / schemata architects
project team: ryosuke yamamoto, ou ueno, takuya sakamoto
address: 957-1 futatsumiya ageo tokyo
program: shop (eyewear)
construction: fuyuki kogyo / ideura kensetu (demolition + landscape + façade) / space(interior) / o.f.c(furniture)
collaboration: kigi (sign and graphic design)
floors: 1
floor area: 239.6㎡
structure: wood
completion: 08/2016