schemata architects re-interprets the marketplace for yagicho-honten store

schemata architects has renovated the ‘yagicho honten’ dried food store in nihonbashi, tokyo. inspired by the bold red of the existing building, the interior is designed to create a strong brand identity for the yagicho flagship store.

inspired by the bold red of the existing building, the interior is designed to create a strong brand identity
all images © kenya chiba

the dried food store has a 280-year history dealing with traditional japanese dried foods, including dried bonito, kelp, and japanese mushrooms — the three basic ingredients to make the soup stock at the foundation of japanese cuisine. red wooden boxes display the products, creating a vibrant space like a marketplace.

the dried food store has a 280-year history dealing with traditional japanese dried foods

a copper countertop at the center of the store doubles as a kitchen for cooking demonstrations and as a cash counter. the interior was conceived by jo nagasaka and his design team in an ‘island style’ to instigate non-hierarchical communication between hosts and guests. on sunny days, the store opens all doors and closely connects itself to the city. people constantly flow in and out, while generating a vibrant atmosphere that spreads from the storefront to the city.

a copper counterop acts as a kitchen and cash counter

the island-style design allows dynamic circulation and interaction between hosts and guests

the red wooden boxes serve to emphasize the brand identity of the store

a store associate demonstrates how to make the soup stock that forms the base of japanese cuisine

the bright store-front re-interprets the traditional marketplace typology

copper and concrete create bold statements

dried bonito, kelp, and japanese mushrooms are sold within the store

in the summer, the doors remain open creating a dynamic interaction with the city

project info:

title: yagicho-honten
architect: jo Nagasaka / schemata Architects
project team: toshihisa aida + kohei hayashi
location: 1-7-2 nihonbashimuromachi chuo-ku tokyo, japan
usage: grocery store
construction: DECOR Inc.
floor: 1
floor area: 45.6 square meters
structure: RC
completion: september 2017
photo: kenya chiba