![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/01/dzn_Lad-Musician-Nagoya-by-General-Design-9.jpg)
Lad Musician Nagoya by General Design
Japanese studio General Design have completed a tall narrow concrete flagship store with no windows for a clothing brand in Nagoya, Japan.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/01/dzn_Lad-Musician-Nagoya-by-General-Design-11.jpg)
Called Lad Musician Nagoya, the building consists of an enclosed concrete box with three skylights in the roof.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/01/dzn_Lad-Musician-Nagoya-by-General-Design-10.jpg)
The interior features three split levels and uses only three materials: concrete, oak and galvanised steel.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/01/dzn_Lad-Musician-Nagoya-by-General-Design-3.jpg)
Photographs are by Daici Ano.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/01/dzn_Lad-Musician-Nagoya-by-General-Design-7.jpg)
Here's some text from the architects:
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LAD MUSICIAN NAGOYA
We were approached by a prestigious apparel brand to design its new flagship store in Nagoya, Japan.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/01/dzn_Lad-Musician-Nagoya-by-General-Design-14.jpg)
Conceptually, a concrete shell was created completely shutting out the sides while allowing its interior space to be filled with light by three skylights from above.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/01/dzn_Lad-Musician-Nagoya-by-General-Design-12.jpg)
Intentionally playing with one’s visual perception, interior space transforms from a low ceiling-intimate space into a 10 meter-high space with soft light coming in from above. The stairs then leads to a fitting space on the top floor filled with light streaming down from the skylights.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/01/dzn_Lad-Musician-Nagoya-by-General-Design-4.jpg)
Playing with light and shadow, the interior is designed to differentiate spaces with different degrees of lightness though the physical space itself is still perceived as a whole.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/01/dzn_Lad-Musician-Nagoya-by-General-Design-8.jpg)
The building materials are intentionally limited to three: rough concrete, plain oak, and zinc-processed steel. Rough concrete is chosen over a smooth refined one because it gives a powerful feeling reminiscent of civil engineering work that has withstood the test of time.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/01/dzn_Lad-Musician-Nagoya-by-General-Design-2.jpg)
Our design intention for this flagship store was to avoid a cosmetic approach of interior design by integrating more architectural concepts emphasizing beauty and strength of space and materials.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/01/dzn_Lad-Musician-Nagoya-by-General-Design-13.jpg)
LAD MUSICIAN NAGOYA
LOCATION:NAKA-KU NAGOYA
SITE AREA:82.99m2
BUILT AREA:64.04m2
TOTAL FLOOR AREA:114.88m2
STRUCTURAL SYSTEM: REINFORCED CONCRETE
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/01/dzn_Lad-Musician-Nagoya-by-General-Design-5.jpg)
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/01/dzn_Lad-Musician-Nagoya-by-General-Design-5.gif)
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/01/dzn_Lad-Musician-Nagoya-by-General-Design-1.gif)