schemata architects clads entire tokyo restaurant interior in artificial wood films

3M’S DI-NOC FILMS WRAP ‘ginza innit’ RESTAURANT AND STORE IN TOKYO

schemata architects has designed ‘ginza innit’, a restaurant and store located in tokyo’s fashionable ginza neighborhood that sells izameshi, a ‘retort pouch food’ (packaged ready-to-eat food). in order to make the store stand out in the area’s grayish surroundings without changing its exterior appearance, the japanese architecture studio has used wood patterns in warm hues throughout the space. yet, since the use of natural wood in the interior was not permitted due to the restriction on interior finishes, schemata opted for an artificial solution: the DI-NOC films by 3M. the design explores ways of expressing wood patterns that are only possible with DI-NOC films, featuring wide wall surfaces, countertops and shelves with such patterns throughout. while the films are made of chemical materials, considering the energy required for transportation and the final dismantling and disposal, the resulting carbon footprint is estimated to be less than that of natural wood.all images by masato kawano (nacasa & partners inc.)

SCHEMATA EXPLORES THE POTENTIAL OF ARTIFICIAL WOOD PATTERNS

located behind the ginza six building, just off ginza chuo-dori, schemata architects’ ‘ginza innit’ includes a pay-per-use eating area where customers can taste an assortment of ‘izameshi’ from the store on the first floor, and outdoor goods on the second floor. the restaurant-store sells retort pouch foods, a term that refers to food packaged in pouches or tray-shaped containers that have been sterilized at high temperatures and pressures of 120℃ and four minutes or more inside a ‘retort’ or autoclave. the popularity of retort pouch foods has increased significantly because of the product characteristics, such as being lightweight and easy to handle and open, quick to heat up, and easy disposal of containers, thus meeting the needs of many consumers. the project’s design traces a common thread between retort pouch food and DI-NOC films in that they both offer easy-to-use and instantaneous effects. as such, the entire interior demonstrates the potential of artificial wood patterns and the unique ways the films can be applied on wall surfaces, countertops and shelves. 

‘when I first heard about this project, I suddenly remembered my first meeting with mr. takeo kikuchi about ten years ago, when we were commissioned to design the takeo kikuchi flagship store in shibuya,’ explains jo nagasaka, founder of schemata architects. ‘mr. kikuchi said, “the aesop aoyama store is fantastic. I like the wooden shelves of different colors. you made them from the scrap wood from a demolished house, right? it’s such an interesting idea,” but then he continued, “but I also like the daikanyama tsutaya books, because it is quite cozy for some strange reason. I suppose that those wood patterns – even though I know they are fake – have great effect on people, and make them feel relaxed. what do you think about this, jo?” I was taken aback by the question, which was totally unexpected, and gave a vague answer. since then, I have often recalled his words, and now we had an opportunity to actually put into practice the effect of fake wood patterns in our work. we found a common thread between retort pouch food and DI-NOC films, both offering easy-to-use and instantaneous effects, and designed a store that made extensive use of DI-NOC films.’

the design explores ways of expressing wood patterns

wide wall surfaces, countertops and shelves are finished in wood DI-NOC films

ginza innit exterior at night

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exterior of ginza innit restaurant and store in tokyo

ginza innit IF plan

ginza innit 2F plan

ginza innit section

project info:

name: ginza innit
architect: jo nagasaka / schemata architects
team: yui matsushita, raheon min
furniture team: sanako osawa
location: 7-10-1 ginza, chuo-ku, tokyo, 1F,2F
construction: TANK
collaborators: hoshizaki, ltd(kitchen), white light,ltd(sound plan), hisaki kato lighting & design inc.(lighting plan), bob foundation(sign), katsuya kubokawa(styling), hisashi ikai(project management)
total floor area: 684.03 sqm
1F area: 291.80 sqm
2F area: 392.23 sqm
completion year: 2021
photography: masato kawano (nacasa & partners inc.)