new balance opens 'T-house' concept store in tokyo with interiors by schemata

located in nihonbashi hamacho, on the east side of tokyo, the ‘new balance T-house’ is a new concept store with interiors by schemata architects. the project combines tradition with the present day, with a design that draws from the spirit of hospitality within japanese tearoom culture. its interior features a traditional japanese warehouse constructed more than 120 years ago, which was relocated and reassembled inside the new building.

all images courtesy of new balance

the new balance T-house concept store is the home of the company’s tokyo design studio, a new brand with a design team comprising members from the USA and japan. for its design, schemata architects reassembled a traditional japanese warehouse constructed more than 120 years ago inside the new building. fascinated by the craftsmanship and sense of time contained within each piece of wood, jo nagasaka’s idea that ‘rather than preserve a traditional warehouse beautifully, provide it with new functions and value,’ aligned perfectly with new balance’s thinking.

combining tradition and local culture with contemporary daily life, new balance’s concept store comprises wooden elements from the 122-year-old ‘kura’ (warehouse) with metallic pieces and concrete details. the flexible retail interior doubles as an event space, while it also provides a canvas for exhibitions and workshops. T-house will feature special releases from a variety of the brand’s global collaborations and the tokyo design studio. in addition, artists and creators spanning a range of genres will produce installations based on a new theme each month.

project info:

name: new balance T-house

architect: jo nagasaka/schemata architects

company: new balance

location: 3-9-2 nihonbashi hamacho, chuo-ku, tokyo, japan

opening hours: monday, tuesday 11:00-14:00, 15:00-19:00; friday to sunday 11:00-19:00 (closed on wednesdays and thursdays)