Andersson Bell Tokyo Flagship Uses Microcement, Lacquer in 1990s Concrete Shell

Repurposing a Brutalist Structure in Aoyama

Seoul-based fashion brand Andersson Bell has established its first Tokyo flagship store in the city’s upscale Aoyama district. Tokyo-based studio I IN designed the three-level retail space, which adapts an existing 1990s Brutalist concrete building.

The design strategy involved layering contemporary finishes and custom fabrications onto the raw, aged concrete shell, creating a deliberate aesthetic of contrast. This approach allowed the designers to integrate new material applications, such as microcement and various reflective surfaces, while preserving the original character of the building’s structure.

Ground and Basement Level Finishes

The ground floor of the flagship is defined by a large glazed façade and a vivid red portal-like entrance. Inside, red carpet-like microcement flooring extends throughout the level, contrasting with the exposed concrete structure, which retains visible drill holes, stains, and construction marks.

Custom FF&E includes a central display counter composed of stacked, kidney-shaped volumes finished in glossy black and orange lacquer. Chrome pipework traces the perimeter of the space, functioning as both lighting elements and clothing rails.

The basement level features red illumination emanating from an expansive glass floor, complemented by dark metal railings and sequences of slender illuminated barrel vaults overhead.

Upper Floor and Material Dialogue

On the top floor, canary yellow microcement serves as a prominent finish, covering the floor and forming integrated elements such as low counters, stepped platforms, and bench-like display surfaces along the windows. This level also incorporates chrome rails around its perimeter and a sculptural central display made of stacked, rounded forms that soften the concrete shell.

Throughout all three levels, the design maintains a consistent material vocabulary that includes exposed concrete, reflective metal, and minimal detailing. I IN describes the project’s aesthetic through oppositions, such as “rawness and sheen” and “ruggedness and glamour,” aligning with Andersson Bell’s brand identity.

Material Specification in Retail Refurbishment

The Andersson Bell Tokyo flagship project demonstrates the specific application of modern materials within an existing concrete structure for retail environments. Microcement was used as a versatile surface treatment for flooring and integrated display units, while custom lacquer finishes were applied to display furniture.

Chrome pipework served dual functions as both lighting and display rails. This refurbishment strategy preserved the 1990s Brutalist shell, introducing new surface treatments and custom fabrications across the store’s three levels, offering a precedent for integrating contemporary finishes into older building shells in urban Asian retail developments.