studio201architects enhances vintage clothing store with plants and plywood

studio201architects enhances vintage clothing store with plants and plywood
all images © kenta hasegawa / OFP

this adaptive reuse project by studio201architects saw a single-level timber home transformed into a vintage clothing store. located in saitama city, japan, the existing building dates back to the 1940s and the original trusses, high ceilings and wooden frame is still a characteristic of the interiors.

‘I wanted to embellish the positive aspect of a wooden house form the 1940s and combine the wooden construction with the atmosphere of the vintage clothing to create a unique space.’ – studio201architects

instead of separating the store into distinguished spaces, the use of plywood/OSB panels were installed between pillars to serve as partial partitioning and a background to the clothes of display. additionally, the surrounding wall were painted white to accentuate the wooden structures, the greenery and highlight the vintage-sourced furniture and clothes.

the existing building – previously a house – has promoted an interesting spatial plan

south and north facing light permeates the space through a multitude of openings, while an idea of nature is emphasized by the greenery planted throughout, most noticeably, the 3 meter high maple tree standing at the central space. the combination of light and trees, the clothes of display underline the concept of change – providing customers a fresh take on each visit.

clothing is hung of suspended rails with the background of plywood or white walls

the clothing store is situated on the ground floor of what previously was a house

plywood panels highlight the clothing and serves as partitioning

plants provide sight lines and highlights the theme of change and nature

a 3 meter high maple tree is based at the core of the space

furniture was sourced from vintage stores

the store is in saitama city, japan