DAIKANYAMA TSUTAYA BOOKS

Japan Commercial Environmental Design Association (JCD) Review

This shop manifests the new type of bookstore. The idea is actualized in the form of a large-scale bookstore and in a quiet residential area. The books are arranged not by genres but lifestyles. For instance, the travel corner has cooking books and philosophical essays. The collage-style arrangement resembles a scene and the space inside this large bookstore connects akin to a movie sequence. This two-storied division-type building has a white façade of ceramic tiles appearing like woven fabric, congruent with Tokyo’s quiet residential area, Daikanyama. The natural sensation of ash tree wood creates the unity of indoor materials. The space includes shelves reaching the ceiling, benches for the visitors to take a side trip, standing lamps within arm’s reach, and fabric chandeliers. All of these make one feel at home.

Architectural design: Klein Dytham architecture (KDa) / Astrid Klein, Mark Dytham
World Architecture Festival Awards 2012 / Shopping-completed buildings category, the Best Award,  Wallpaper* Design Awards 2013, Best Bookshop Design for Asia Award Grand Prize