Ginza Concept Store Set Inside a Tokyo Carpark.

The Park-Ing Ginza is a quirky concept store set inside a Tokyo carpark, created under the direction of Hiroshi Fujiwara, and designed by Nobuo Araki/The Archetype. The store is situated on the third and fourth basement floors of the Sony Building, which faces the famous Sukiyabashi Crossing in Ginza. The space shares the third basement floor with Nishi-Ginza Parking Lot, enabling drivers to park and enter on foot, or even drive into the space itself. Nishi-Ginza Parking Lot is a distinctive structure in its own right. It has the capacity of 800 vehicles, and has tenants including a rent-a-car station, restaurants and a rest area. As a result, it’s atmosphere differs from other parking lots in Tokyo.

With an appreciation for the distinct form and atmosphere of the parking lot, the space was designed to function as a store while remaining in harmony with its surroundings. The store consists of a cafe, retail space and gallery, with no clear boundaries between them. Each section has been designed to be flexible and can host events independently.

In order to accommodate the flexible nature of the space, temporary construction materials have been used throughout the interior. These materials resonate with the materials present in Nishi-Ginza Parking Lot. The result is that upon entering the store, visitors get a feel for the parking lot, with its atmosphere and materiality extend into the shop.

[Images courtesy of Nobuo Araki/The Archetype. Photography by Atsushi Fuseya.]