schemata architecture office: papabubble candy shop, tokyo

‘papabubble’ candy shop by schemata architecture office photo by takumi ota

‘papabubble‘ a brand of hand-made confectionaries based in barcelona has opened its first shop in japan. located within tokyo’s daimaru department star, the retail space is designed by japanese firm schemata architecture office. the company is known for its use of patterns and colors, and schemata wanted to showcase the process which papabubble takes in making their candy products. the main feature is a 900mm high monolithic three-sided concrete counter which has been cast from a fabric mould as a means of expressing the material’s potential to have a softness and warmth to it. here all the production of the sweet treats such as melting sugar, making patterns, cutting, wrapping and selling is performed. the main work space is enclosed by sliding glass windows which are open during operating hours. a back wall covered in black tiles closes off the worktop area, with its the exterior serving as display for the brand’s different candies.

the open concept space allows customers to see how the confections

front view of the work space

the shop features a 900 mm high concrete counter that has been cast with a fabric mould photo by takumi ota

black tiled back wall serves as a display area showcasing the brand’s products photo by takumi ota

the sweetshop is located within tokyo’s daimaru department store

concrete base and counter detail which shows the ‘softer’ characteristics of the industrial material

casting the massive concrete counter

the use of a cloth mould in the casting process results in a soft finish on the typically cold and hard-edged material

plan

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project info: title: papabubble at DAIMARU tokyo architects: jo nagasaka + ryosuke yamamoto/schemata architects address: marunouchi chiyoda tokyo usage: shop + kitchen construction: TANK floor area: 28.91m² completion: 10/2012