SKWAT/twelvebooks by DAIKEI MILLS
Minami-aoyama, Tokyo, Japan
SKWAT/twelvebooks | DAIKEI MILLS | photography : Daisuke Shima
DESIGN NOTE
Guerrilla store inspired by ‘squatting’
A library suddenly appeared in a prime location in Aoyama
The unique vibes created by not modifying existing tenants
photography : Daisuke Shima
words : Reiji Yamakura/IDREIT
'SKWAT/twelvebooks' in Minami-aoyama is the fourth SKWAT project developed by Keisuke Nakamura of DAIKEI MILLS and the SKWAT team. The project located in 'The Jewels of Aoyama', a commercial facility along Miyuki Street, one of Tokyo's most iconic fashion areas, near Omotesando Station.
In collaboration with artbook distributor twelvebooks, the SKWAT team has created "a library open to the community" with twelvebooks' bookstore and workspace inside.
Inspired by the red lines on the existing building, the design studio Daikei Mills chose red as the theme colour of the project and laid a bright red carpet on the floor. They have repurposed bookshelves and light fixtures that were discarded from a store they designed in the past.
The name SKWAT was inspired by "squatting," which Nakamura saw in London in the past.
DETAIL
In the ground floor, DAIKEI MILLS placed a light box called ‘Schaukasten’ for entrance signage.
The red lines on the floor and ceiling were originally painted to protect the PC wires inside the concrete. From the red line, the designer Nakamura chose red as the key colour of the project.
The black chair, on the right, was designed for the mens fashion brand ‘th’ by Keisuke Nakamura.
The industrial looking stair handrails were made to keep the construction safe. DAIKEI MILLS designed them with pipes and clamps so that they could be used afterwards.
CREDIT + INFO
Name : SKWAT/twelvebooks (Minami-aoyama)
Designer: Keisuke Nakamura, Kai Naganawa, Yosuke Yagi, Koki Kumagai, Kazuki Sato / DAIKEI MILLS
Graphic design: Kenzo Shibata
Construction: D. BRAIN + DAIKEI MILLS
Location: 5-3-2 Minami-aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Completion date: May, 2020
Floor area: 216 sqm
Material:
floor/needle punch carpet (red)
