MIKAN SHIMOKITA
Embracing Change and Permanence
in an Unfinished State
MIKAN SHIMOKITA
Embracing Change and Permanence
in an Unfinished State
Opened in 2022, MIKAN SHIMOKITA is a shopping complex project located under the elevated tracks of Shimokitazawa Station on the Keio Inokashira Line. This major redevelopment project, which aims to propose a new shape for Shimokitazawa, comprises five districts that blend commercial areas filled with unique dining establishments and workspaces. From planning to architectural and environmental design, the entire project was meticulously crafted.
Shimokitazawa has long been a hub of diverse culture, home to theaters, vintage clothing shops, live music venues, cafes, and bars. As you stroll through the streets, you might spot people relaxing at small tables in narrow alleyways, enjoying their coffee. Although this is a large-scale redevelopment project, the goal was to preserve the charm of the old Shimokitazawa. After countless reflecting what makes Shimokitazawa special, I realized that its “MIKAN”(unfinished in Japanese) nature is a key characteristic.
To embody the idea of “unfinished = evolving,” I employed a skeleton-infill construction method that separates the structural frame and the interior. This approach allowed for a raw and freely arranged architectural design using steel frames and containers. The sense of being unfinished evokes a rich image of endless possibilities for rearrangement and reconstruction. Additionally, by purposely unifying the facade design of the tenant shops to protect the look of the facility, we sought to differentiate it from the common appearance of other such commercial facilities.
The key word is MIKAN (unfinished in Japanese) tolerance. We designed an architecture that will continue to change in the future and can respond flexibly to the times because it is unfinished.
The energy and culture of the people exude from the building in Shimokitazawa. Daringly ambiguous lease lines, steel frames and concrete create a rough, but unmistakably Shimokita architectural design.
Rather than simply adhering to the vague notion of "weaving together streetscapes," the project aims to create a platform that remains flexible to change and invites everyone who gathers in Shimokitazawa to participate in its future.
Yuta Yamamoto
I often find myself wanting things to remain as they are, which gives me the courage to take bold actions.
When building structures, the focus is usually on the risks.
I want to prevent the homogenization of cities that is happening everywhere.
Commercial facilities in every city tend to look alike, leading to a loss of individuality and nostalgic remarks of the past.
I want to create architecture that doesn’t rely on tenants, like a rebellion of the underdog.
Things are often divided into conservative or innovative, but where is the dividing line, and is it always just these two options? This is something I find fascinating.
There’s always a conflict between wanting things to stay the same and the need to create something new.
Container color combination verification
In architecture, there are people who visit intentionally and those who just pass by. Both should be considered and adjusted for.
Designing the environment and designing interior spaces are different in scale but are connected in subtle ways.
