Klein Dytham Architecture, based in Tokyo, has created a striking new facade for Cartier’s Ginza store, using sweeping aluminium curves inspired by the elegant drape of a wedding dress.
The architects aimed to make their design stand out within Ginza’s lively urban landscape, characterized by rows of tall, linear skyscrapers.
“The concept was to bring a gentle, sculptural calm to Ginza’s highly geometric streetscape by introducing a facade that feels fluid, soft, and sophisticated,” explained Mark Dytham, co-founder of Klein Dytham, to Dezeen.
“Instead of competing with the vertical rhythm of the surrounding buildings, our design employs layered, flowing forms to offer an elegant sense of depth and anticipation.”
To achieve the building’s signature curves, Mark Dytham and Astrid Klein clad the exterior in tailored cast aluminium panels, shaped to mimic the fluid lines of a wedding dress.
“The sweeping curves give the building a sense of movement and softness, reminiscent of silky fabric, and create a quiet sculptural presence amid the busy city,” Dytham noted.
“These forms also interact with the light throughout the day, causing the facade to change subtly as people walk by.”
The use of gentle curves in the design also helps to visually soften the typical fire-compartment lines between floors, producing a more unified and seamless appearance.
Klein Dytham’s concept is anchored by a rectangular frame that outlines the original vertical louvres, with the new facade composed of three layered elements: cast aluminium panels, flat aluminium panels, and a glass layer.
