wooden shingles cover ‘yosemite’ renovated storefront by slow in japan

SLOW Conceptualizes the outdoor gear shop as mountain hut

SLOW Architects takes over the expansion of the existing outdoor select shop ‘YOSEMITE’ in Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture in Japan. The original store, operational since 2013, required a larger space due to increased demand. The new structure, conceived as a symbolic building with a mountain hut motif, aims to attract a broader audience of outdoor enthusiasts. The two-story skip-floor design integrates a shop on the first floor and an office with a common space on the second floor, fostering a vertical connection between spaces.

Two-Story Skip-Floor building Exposes Structural Elements

Exposed structural elements such as columns, beams, and plywood contribute to a raw aesthetic, evoking the atmosphere of a mountain hut. Concrete flooring complements the material palette, creating a cohesive and functional space for shopping and office activities. The side wall features quotes from John Muir, the wilderness advocate of Sierra Nevada, inspiring the shop’s name ‘YOSEMITE’. SLOW Architects aims to convey the joy of mountain activities to an expanded audience through the thoughtful design and functionality of the space.

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project info:

name: YOSEMITE

architect: SLOW | @slow_architects

location: Kashihara, Japan

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