Herzog & de Meuron works in Tokyo

Swiss firm founded in in 1978, winner of Pritzker Prize in 2001

Founders:

Jacques Herzog (Born April 19th, 1950)/Pierre de Meuron (May 8th, 1950)

Significant works:

Tate Modern (London, 2000)/Allianz Arena (Munich, 2005)/Beijing National Stadium "Bird's Nest" (Beijing/2008)

Herzog & de Meuron only has two works in Japan so far; the Prada Aoyama (2003, left) has already become one of the more recognized buildings in Tokyo. 

There is a plaza immediate outside (top left), very rare for retail buildings that seem to want to make use of every little inch they have. The firm had to meet with the strict safety regulations in Japan; for example the panels on the ground will open up in case of a strong earthquake to let extra energy escape.

Across the street, there is the Miu Miu Aoyama (top, 2015). The over-sized canopy that hides most of the facade and you wouldn't realize it is a shop until you get close. "More like a home than a department store, more hidden than open" is the expression the firm uses to explain this work.

The two buildings are half-way between the Omotesando intersection and the Nezu Museum (by Kengo Kuma) on Miyuki Street. Other fashion brands have recently opened here, such as the Stella McCartney that can be seen to the right of Miu Miu.

Take the A5 Exit from Omotesando Station. It's about a two minute walk.

UNIQLO TOKYO (2020, Interior)

Herzog & de Meuron worked on transforming the first four floors of a former department store built in 1984 into the flagship store for Uniqlo. The team decided to expose the concrete structure and remove the suspended ceiling in an "exercise of design through subtraction"

Location: 3-2-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku/Marronnier Gate 2 Building Floors 1-4