Maison Miu Miu: Herzog & de Meuron create a new design gem in Tokyo
![Herzog & de Meuron's new building for Miu Miu](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ciMiQuMcRnDSuzMXjwrThn-415-80.jpg)
Since construction started early last year, the new Miu Miu Aoyama store has been a well-kept secret. In fact, it spent the months running up to its inauguration completely wrapped up with only a brief note on the façade hinting to its 'Opening in March 2015'. Today the curtain was finally lifted by Herzog & de Meuron co-founder, Jacques Herzog, and a few of his key staff.
Located diagonally across from the iconic Prada Tokyo Epicenter building, completed more than 10 years ago also by Herzog & De Meuron, the architects felt the pressure to come up with something truly remarkable right from their first meeting with Miuccia Prada two and a half year ago. Stefan Marbach, senior partner at Herzog & De Meuron explains: 'We first started out trying to do something similar to the Prada building, but quickly realised we in fact had to do something completely different.' While the owner might be the same, the brands are quite different, and the Miu Miu project's modest site restrictions were also worlds apart from the more generous Prada site.
With a footprint of just over 250 sq m and local building code limiting the height to two storeys, the Miu Miu store is a simple stainless steel box with two flaps opening up the building at the front and back - a defining element for the design. While the back one goes all the way down to the street, the front one stops at about two metres above ground, creating a canopy that allows visitors to enter the building through a large central double door. A meticulously punched copper panel covers the inner wall of both vertical elements. Depending on season, time of the day and weather, this reflects the sunlight in a different way, resulting in an ever-changing feel inside.
Everything in the store has been custom designed and much care has been given to the details. A/C outlets are concealed within the floor with 10mm holes drilled in a decorative pattern to let out cool air. LED lighting is hidden within the copper tubes holding up the product display shelves. Copper is in fact a recurring element, appearing everywhere, from the legs of the bespoke furniture, hangers, handrails and the elegantly designed Plexiglas shelving units. The Prada building across the street may be immediately striking in its tall, pure architectural form and pattern, but the Miu Miu store has a style all its own.
The building features a smooth polished steel facade and and sits diagonally across from the Prada Tokyo Epicenter, also by Herzog & de Meuron
An angled oversized canopy slashes open the facade and leads the eye to the window displays below
Once approached, the building reveals itself as a shop, inviting the passer-by in
The interior is defined by rounded, soft-edged copper surfaces that contrast the more angled elements of the steel exterior
Spanning two floors, the store is spacious and comfortable
Special displays and cases were designed to showcase the merchandise...
...while inviting sofas and armchairs dress the interior, offering rest areas to customers
ADDRESS
Miu Miu
3-17-8, Minami Aoyama
Minato-Ku, Tokyo
107-0062
Wallpaper* Newsletter + Free Download
For a free digital copy of August Wallpaper*, celebrating Creative America, sign up today to receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories
Originally from Denmark, Jens H. Jensen has been calling Japan his home for almost two decades. Since 2014 he has worked with Wallpaper* as the Japan Editor. His main interests are architecture, crafts and design. Besides writing and editing, he consults numerous business in Japan and beyond and designs and build retail, residential and moving (read: vans) interiors.
-
Commune’s sustainable personal care products look ‘quite unlike anything else’
Commune’s Somerset-made products stand out in the sustainable skincare crowd. Madeleine Rothery speaks with the brand’s co-founders Kate Neal and Rémi Paringaux
By Madeleine Rothery Published
-
‘Hedonistic and avant-garde’: Rabanne’s Julian Dossena on the legacy of the chainmail 1969 bag
Paco Rabanne’s 1969 chainmail handbag encapsulates the late designer’s futuristic, space-age style. Current creative director Julien Dossena tells Wallpaper* about the bag’s particular pleasures
By Jack Moss Published
-
Postcard from Paris: Olympic fever takes over the streets
On the eve of the opening ceremony of Paris 2024, our correspondent shares her views from the streets of the capital about how the event is impacting the urban landscape.
By Minako Norimatsu Published
-
Kyoto exhibition collates Veronica Ditting’s influential printed matter for the world’s biggest brands
Creative director and designer Veronica Ditting has created printed matter for The Row, Hermès and Maison Margiela. Now, a new exhibition in Kyoto, ‘Folio Folio Folio: Print by Veronica Ditting’ celebrates her influential career so far
By Jack Moss Published
-
Utilitarian men’s fashion that will elevate your everyday
From Prada to Margaret Howell, utilitarian and workwear-inspired men’s fashion gets an upgrade for S/S 2024
By Jack Moss Published
-
This season’s womenswear channels freedom and escape
These S/S 2024 womenswear looks promise an escape from the everyday, and are photographed amid the otherwordly landscapes of the Canary Islands for the March 2024 Style Issue of Wallpaper*
By Jack Moss Published
-
Miu Miu is launching beauty products in 2025
Miu Miu is partnering with L’Oréal Groupe for the creation, development, and distribution of a beauty line
By Hannah Tindle Published
-
In fashion: the best of S/S 2024 in 12 transporting looks and accessories
The looks and objects that encapsulate S/S 2024’s mood of escape and discovery, from crystal-studded sunglasses to behemothic beach bags
By Jack Moss Published
-
Ten sculptural hair clips to tame your tresses, from Miu Miu, Prada and more
These hair clips add a sculptural flourish to all styles, from Miu Miu’s oversized barrette to Prada’s Re-Nylon and Plexiglas pin
By Hannah Tindle Published
-
Best in shows: Wallpaper* picks S/S 2024’s standout looks
As part of Wallpaper’s Design Awards 2024 issue, we select the winning S/S 2024 runway collections – and their defining looks – at the start of a new season in style
By Jack Moss Published
-
This season’s most dramatic runway sets, from curtains of slime to disco balls
Revisit the transporting runway sets of S/S 2024 fashion month, which spanned dystopian herbariums, destroyed disco balls and artwork-adorned catwalks
By Jack Moss Published