Cool Spaces: Louis Vuitton Ginza Namiki

WORDS Cheri Morris IMAGES Louis Vuitton

Jun Aoki & Associates’ seven-storey Louis Vuitton Ginza Namiki store in Tokyo features an iridescent pearl façade made of glass and dichroic film, as well as underwater-themed zones and suspended jellyfish by Peter Marino.

Located in Tokyo’s Ginza shopping district, this new design replaces the previous store that occupied the space for more than forty years. Exteriors intended to mirror Ginza’s location near Tokyo Bay: two layers of curved glass are covered in a dichroic film to realise the rippled image of oceanic surfaces into a material phenomenon – a pillar of water.

Interiors by New York-based studio Peter Marino continue the nature-inspired theme. Textured walls, curved surfaces, a harmony of wood, glass and art-dotted walls are complemented by suspended jellyfish with monogram detailing around the central staircase.

A secondary staircase at the rear is framed by a four-storey feature wall that reimagines a work by Japanese artist Kimiko Fujimura. Pierre Paulin furniture enlists playful pops of colour: bright pinks and oranges for the women’s floors and reds, blues and muted yellows for the men’s.

The sixth floor houses a permanent space for showcasing new arrivals and a VIP area, while Le Café V on the top floor makes for the ideal place to luxuriate in Louis Vuitton’s enduring aesthetic.

Looking for more architectural inspiration? Check out Louis Vuitton’s first café here.