CURIOSITY injects radiant sun rays lighting & pink onyx inside m-i-d concept store, japan

Radiant sun rays lighting by CURIOSITY

Tokyo-based multidisciplinary studio CURIOSITY, led by French designer Gwenael Nicolas, installs metal beams shaped like sun rays over the glare of white light on the ceiling for its retail design inside m-i-d concept store in Sogo Yokohama, Japan. The studio wants to lure in customers with the glow of the ceiling upon entering, eyeing the space from top to bottom, left to right. The beams create a map for the customers to follow since the end of the ceiling columns leads them to the back of the store. In a way, the studio asks the customers to take their time rifling through the m-i-d collection without hurrying and soaking in the design of the interior in every corner.

images courtesy of CURIOSITY | photos by Satoshi Shigeta

Pink Onyx complements the white glow

Along with the radiant sun rays lighting, CURIOSITY turns to pink onyx to soften the glow of the lighting inside m-i-d concept store. The gentle shade of gem is transformed into a giant slab that divides the store’s space while the rest of the material carpets the whole floor of the concept shop. The studio describes its use of pink onyx as a means to welcome elegant, dignified, and sophisticated Yokohama customers, a slow flow of rhythm being invoked through the blend of glittering metal of the beams on the ceiling and the soft tone of pink. Anchored on the walls, rods are hidden inside metal cases that cast the views of the surroundings to always remind the customers of the other corners they are yet to explore.

metal beams shaped like sun rays over the glare of white light

Expanding the space with reflectors

CURIOSITY expands the space inside m-i-d concept store by placing gold-toned reflectors across the room. In the main area, a guitar pick-shaped reflector mirrors the sun rays lighting on the ceiling and creates an illusion that the studio also installed the beams on the floor. It fools the customers at first glance, but they soon realize it only toys with their imagination and tries to halt them from going around the store at a fast pace. Cushioned armchairs are also in soft pink to continue the shade of pink onyx. The black and white motif of the m-i-d’s collection from five different brands around the store becomes underlined, thanks to the subtle strikes of colors that the white glow of the lighting and the pink shade endow throughout the space.

gold-toned reflector