torafu architects cart souvenir shop at the national art center tokyo

torafu architects cart souvenir shop at the national art center tokyo
all photos by masaya yoshimura
all images courtesy of torafu architects

located on the first floor of the national art center, japan, the ‘souvenir from tokyo‘ shop by torafu architects offers a variety of collectables displayed in assembled wooden forms. red cedar two by fours are used to construct circular shapes that showcase the tokyo’s trending creative art gifts. with help from design-build group ishinomaki laboratory, the production of the retail area was fashioned to harmonize with the museum’s lobby space. the hut-like structures range from simple shelving to a towering register stand, as the warmth from the timber materials juxtapose with the grey tones of the surrounding site, while still referencing the architecture. the same parameters are followed with other storage units, such as the stacked boxes, whose laminated white interior and curving volume act as a buffer to the rest of the floor area. furthermore, some of the stands are fixed onto wheels to allow for mobility and flexible arrangements, creating an ever-changing layout scheme. torafu architects have also developed a brand logo to feature an original line of products for the shop.

the first level of the national arts center is home to the ‘souvenir from tokyo’ shop with dynamic layout

shelving units are designed with consideration with to wooden floor and geometry of the existing architectural forms

carts can be moved around the retail space and visual placemaking has also been designed by torafu

the register stand in a wooden tower refers to its neighboring structure

aerial images of the shop with different arrangements from open to more enclosed

detail of the register stand showing the modest construction from two by fours

the ‘souvenir from tokyo’ boutique lit at night

project info:

principal use: shop
production: ishinomaki laboratory / ichiro
credit: sign
building site: roppongi, tokyo
total floor area: 70m2
design period: jan 2013- jan 2014
production period: feb 2014
photo: masaya yoshimura