Louis Vuitton – Pioneering Architecture in Retail

Louis Vuitton has opened the largest of its flagship stores in Japan with a facade by architect Jun Aoki and interiors by New York designer Peter Marino.

Is it a ship?

From the outside, this fascinating new build demands attention. It is a showstopper. Jun Aoki has designed a light and airy white structure that references the billowing sails of a traditional higaki-kaisen cargo ship. This classic style of cargo ship once transported cargo from Osaka to Tokyo (or Edo, as it was once known). The purity of the façade is reinforced by the use of metal fretwork motifs at ground level, giving the impression of a ship floating on water.

Inside the flour-floor Louis Vuitton store, Peter Marino has followed similar inspirations. Wooden floors give the impression of decks, with wood-clad pillars and metal ceilings reminiscent of the spirit of a grand yacht embarking on an exciting adventure. Meanwhile, traditional Japanese materials such as woodwork and origami washi paper decorate spaces of various volumes including large halls and smaller corners.

Architect: Jun Aoki

Interior architect: Peter Marino

Brand: Louis Vuitton

Location: Osaka, Japan

Address: 2-8-16, Shinsaibashisuji, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka, Japan

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