A new storefront for Cartier’s Osaka operations has been unveiled, bringing a decorative feel to the city’s glittering Shinsaibashi district with a glowing facade composed of over 2,500 interlocking three-dimensional masu boxes handcrafted by master carpenters in Kyoto.

Tokyo-based Klein Dytham Architecture wrapped the luxury retailer in an Hinoki wood facade using a recycled aluminum framework meant to mirror the brand’s commitment to sustainability. 

The structure can be illuminated thanks to built-in LED lights and is complete with a double-height arched window entrance that gives a sharp contrast to nearby glass-curtained retail establishments. 

KDa was able to place the facade in a narrow 200mm boundary area.

The store’s ground floor features a fragrance bar decorated by Masako Anki. The second floor features a bridal suite and “Prestige Area” with 3D-printed doors. 

In total, the design’s unique materials and simple geometry evince a warm tribute to the “attention to detail and the freedom from traditional constraints” that Italian-born and UK-educated principal Ingrid Kelin listed as her inspiration for moving to Japan more than thirty years ago.