Lost in Modernization

Clever pleated fabric/sushi-inspired ad for Issey Miyake's new store in Omotesando district of Tokyo

Having just returned from a multi-faceted vacation comprising of Japan and Hawaii, I was at a mental block as to what to compose for Wednesday's post. One would think I was ripe with inspiration and chomping at the bit to "show and tell!"But the reality is, "where do I begin?"I tossed around avoiding the topic of traveling altogether, since I didn't want to sound like a braggart nor lose my reader with information that doesn't appeal. Japan, afterall, is quite the experience, with architecturally-rich Tokyo being my inspiration for this post. Tokyo, an amazing city, is modern, fast, energetic, and illuminated 24/7! The city sprawls for miles and miles and is dotted with one contemporary building after another. The city did burn down during WWII, thus lending itself to all new buildings with barely a shred of architectural pedigree on the horizon. I'll save my in-depth history lesson (because I sure did learn alot!) and give you my visual lesson of some architecturally designed masterpieces that house some of the top luxury fashion labels in Tokyo and in the world. -BH

Maison Hermes - Ginza

Architect: Renzo Piano 1998-2001

The continuous glass block facade envelopes a 54,000 sq.ft. emporium comprising of shopping, workspaces, offices, multi-media centers and a garden!

Giorgio Armani SpA, Milan - Armani Ginza Tower

Architect: Studio Fuksas, Rome

The facade of bamboo and leaves is the design intent. The 86,000 sq.ft. mini department store(Giorgio Armani, Emporio and Casa) houses a spa, a restaurant, Prive Bar, showrooms, and headquarters over twelve floors.

Interior shot of Armani Ginza

Gucci Tower
Architect: American Architect James Carpenter, Nov.2006
Exterior is a glass panel and metal skin spanning 8-stories with interior of two layers of glass: one layer of clear glass, second layer of prismatic bronze glass.

Photo courtesy of Gucci Japan and http://www.japantimes.co.jp/

Dior Ginza
Architect: Office of Kumiko Inui Inc.
Completed 2004
Building is clad in perforated aluminum with fluorocarbon paint. Design resembles a plaid and diamond pattern.


Photo courtesy of http://www.kikukawa.com/

Tod's Omotesando Building
Architect: Toyo Ito and Associates
Completed 2004
The Tod's building in the Omotesando district has a glass and concrete lattice exterior with shifted tree and branch silhouettes serving as the design concept.

Prada Store, Omotesando
Architect:(Swiss) Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron
Completed 2003
The Prada store is a bubbly structure comprised of alternating flat and concave diamond glass planes creating a stunning crystal shell. This was intended to create a dialogue between merchandise and the city.

This interior view says, "Come hither!"

Amateur photography by Brandie Herbst

Other photos are credited