Kazuyo Sejima on the Concept of Architecture and Interior Design

The concept for the building is "a building that is opaque yet like bright transparency." The structure is a simple, cubic volume about 9 meters high, comprising a semi-basement with high side lighting and two above-ground floors with high ceilings. The exterior glass is covered with aluminum expanded metal, with various details designed to express the transparency of the building as clearly as possible.

The expanded metal screen creates a bright interior, reminiscent of dappled sunlight, during the day, and at night, it allows light to spill outwards, softly illuminating the surroundings. The interplay between the interior and exterior scenery, glimpsed through the expanded metal, is striking.



Kazuyo Sejima explains, "I wanted each of the three floors to have a different impression. On the first floor, lighting is arranged along the perimeter glass. Inside, you feel surrounded by light, and from the outside, the scene appears as a facade of lighting. On the second floor, conversely, the lighting is concentrated in the center. Ascending the open staircase, the expansive view of the outside and the ceiling full of light come into view simultaneously. The basement floor is a shop that also handles miscellaneous goods, with furniture and accessories adorning the interior. Natural light and artificial light complement each other, illuminating the interior and exterior with different expressions, both day and night. I envisioned it as a small living space within the city, a place where people could easily drop in."

Upon entering, the first floor features lighting in various styles, materials, and shapes. The second floor offers a dazzling lighting space using crystal and Venetian glass. The basement floor displays lighting alongside fun interior items. Additionally, as a special opening exhibition, visitors can see special items such as the vintage chandelier "Murano Cristallo," made from Murano glass used in a villa on the shores of Lake Como, Italy.

A Lighting Showroom Named Luce

The main brands handled at LUCE TOYO KITCHEN STYLE include Established & Sons, Moooi, Tom Dixon, Kartell, Foscarini, Bosa, Innermost, Barovier & Toso, Vistosi, and also TOYO KITCHEN STYLE SELECTION. Brands that consistently draw attention at events like Milan Salone are gathered here.

Sayako Watanabe, the store manager, favors the brand Moooi. Founded in 2001 by Marcel Wanders and Casper Vissers, Moooi's adventurous and beautiful collections are innovative and have many fans worldwide.

It is worth visiting Minami-Aoyama to experience the charm of beautiful light, a tool for communication through illumination.