David Chipperfield Architects opened the new two-storey Bally shop in Tokyo last week, is the second flagship to feature the store concept of David Chipperfield Architects Milan. It is located at the intersection of Chuo-Dori Street and Sotobori-Dori Avenue in Ginza, Tokyo’s renowned shopping district.

Inspired by research into Bally’s Swiss modernist heritage and the clean, innovative aesthetic of its earliest stores, the new store concept was first applied to the London flagship store on New Bond Street. The new Tokyo store is an evolution of the concept in response to a new setting.

A distinctive feature of the Tokyo store is the two-storey façade composed of a series of vertical brass elements. These elements start from a single unified beam that splits into three slender beams and branches out upwards, creating a framework reminiscent of an avenue of trees – a reference to both a traditional Japanese motif and the tubular metal furniture designed for Bally by Marcel Breuer.

In plan, the store spaces are arranged around a star-shaped timber wall so that they open out towards the glass façade like window displays. In addition to its screening function, the timber grid walling serves as a flexible display system onto which a variety of lighting and shelving elements can be attached.

Bally flagship store is occupying 800sqm over two floors, Bally’s contribution to Ginza’s newest retail landmark features a ground floor dedicated to men’s and women’s accessories and ready-to-wear collections, as well as a Gentleman’s Corner that offers made-to-order and shoe care services, plus a first-floor home to a VIP room and an event space. To celebrate the opening, the store will host an exhibition of vintage Bally designs from 1851 to 1951 which is the first time this exhibition will be seen outside Switzerland. The exhibition runs until 8 May 2016.

David Chipperfield Architects opened Valentino Flagship Store in Rome in 2015, Valentino New York Flagship Store in 2014 and Valentino Man Store in Paris in 2013. 

all images courtesy of Bally/Ginza store

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