Art Portfolio Two: Artist research - Louis Vuitton Ginza Namiki

Today, I want to have a look at Louis Vuitton Ginza Namiki fashion outlet(see Fig1) to have a better understanding of how these types of stores work until I do my floor plan. Louis Vuitton Ginza Namiki is located in Japan and was designed by AS Co and Peter Marino Architect. This design was inspired by the Edo period (1603-1867), reflecting Ginza’s history as a waterfront area (Yoshida,2022). "The building's highly modern appearance interprets the reflections of water as a material phenomenon," said Louis Vuitton, according to Parkes(2021). All constructions have a wavy form that interprets a water flow. The walls are made from 2-layered curved glass with shiny film on top to create the shiny and pearlescent effect. The first floor interior involves a big jellyfish sculpture (see Fig2) that creates a light reflection and gives a mysterious effect to the ceiling. "Throughout the retail spaces, textured walls, curved surfaces and a wood and glass material palette fill the space, adding a lightness to the interior while reinforcing the natural theme"(Parkes, 2021). The interior is slightly different from outside, even the stairs and walls are wavy, it still has a classic light cloth store design, wood and right lighting on products (see Fig3).

Fig1, Louis Vuitton Ginza Namiki photographed by Daici Ano

Fig2, The interior has large monogram jellyfish suspended from the ceiling, photographed by Daici Ano

Fig3, A zoned area has an underwater theme photographed by Daici Ano

The Fashion Outlet have 3 floors of women's universal with ready-to-go clothes, jewellery and accessories. On the 4th floor plaed a men's section is placed, the 2 floor above possible to found a VIC and VIP salons sector. On the 7th floor, Le Café V and Le Chocolat V are placed (Abdel, 2021). This cafe is the first chocolatier from Louis Vuitton. A lot of people visit the store just to try famous branded sweets or buy them. This idea seems really imtresting I was thinking about a coffee shop on the last floor however a sweets is will be more popular also, as the waterfall will be working 24/7 its will be good idea to have it work late so even if store do not work the costumer will come anyway to the waterfall light reflection in the evening because it's will be more beautifull at this time. However, I'm not sure about this idea because I think the cafe will draw attention from the actual Outlet.

References:

Parkes, J. (2021). Jun Aoki & Associates wraps Louis Vuitton’s Tokyo store in pearlescent facade. [online] Dezeen. Available at: https://www.dezeen.com/2021/03/25/jun-aoki-associates-louis-vuitton-ginza-namiki-tokyo/ [Accessed 8 May 2025].

Abdel, H. (2021). Louis Vuitton Ginza Namiki / AS Co. + Peter Marino Architect. [online] ArchDaily. Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/959086/louis-vuitton-ginza-namiki-jun-aoki-and-associates-plus-peter-marino-architect [Accessed 8 May 2025].

Yoshida, Y. (2022). 【LOUIS VUITTON GINZA NAMIKI】Design: AS, Peter Marino Architect. [online] Showcase Tokyo Architecture Tours | Crafting Exquisite Architectural Journeys in Tokyo. Available at: https://showcase-tokyo.com/2022/10/12/lv-ginza-namiki-nakamaru-en/ [Accessed 8 May 2025].

Image references:

Fig1,2, Abdel, H. (2021). Louis Vuitton Ginza Namiki / AS Co. + Peter Marino Architect. [online] ArchDaily. Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/959086/louis-vuitton-ginza-namiki-jun-aoki-and-associates-plus-peter-marino-architect [Accessed 8 May 2025].

Fig3, Parkes, J. (2021). Jun Aoki & Associates wraps Louis Vuitton’s Tokyo store in pearlescent facade. [online] Dezeen. Available at: https://www.dezeen.com/2021/03/25/jun-aoki-associates-louis-vuitton-ginza-namiki-tokyo/ [Accessed 8 May 2025].