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Apple has donated their iconic modern aesthetic to a Modernist office complex in the heart of Tokyo. Inspired by the structural grid design of the tower, the base of the 1973 Mitsubishi Building has been refurbished to accommodate Apple Marunouchi, the tech giant's latest retail store.
The new space was unveiled to the public on September 7 following a design and build process that involved careful collaboration between architect Foster + Partners and Apple officials led by chief design officer Sir Jonathan Ive.
While borrowing cues from the edifice above, the store employs the design traits of Apple stores the world over, with clean lines and multi-storey glass windows playing major roles. "I love the simplicity of the space," said Sir Jonathan Ive. "There is an honesty in terms of how the structure of the building, the green bamboo, and the transparent vitrines all come together to form a light-filled volume that is full of life."
The two-storey aluminum vitrines were specially cast to create three-dimensional rounded corners, framing the products inside and enhancing the existing set of perimeter columns. Bamboo and ash timber accents add life and greenery to the spaces within, with mirrored panels reflecting the vegetation and the animated streets.
"We wanted to create a restrained presence amid the bustle of Tokyo," said Stefan Behling, Head of Studio, Foster + Partners said. "The beautifully crafted aluminium vitrines define the boundary of the store and Apple's presence, offering everyone walking by a glimpse into the store. The structural grid gives the entire volume a certain rhythm, while the calm interior is enhanced by the bamboo that lines the perimeter."
The highly urban location sits next to Tokyo Station and close to the Emperor's Palace, one of the city's most popular parks.
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