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Jun Aoki - The Touch of Architecture

From Friday 16 April to Sunday 9 May 2021.

Inspiration from the ultimate Touch
Loro Piana Ginza store opened last June on Ginza Chuo-dori in Tokyo. Its long and narrow façade, undulating towards the sky in the midst of the Ginza cityscape, has a discreet but special glow. This impressive façade was designed by the architect Jun Aoki. Inspired by the ultimate tactile qualities of Loro Piana's materials, he took on the contradictory concept of expressing a very soft and smooth texture in a hard material: architecture. The 4th floor, the top floor of Ginza store, is a special space usually used as a VIP room. This exhibition, which is open to the public, tells the story of how the design of the striking façade of the Ginza store was conceived in Aoki's mind and how it came to be.

Coexistence of elements that are unlikely to coexist
The history and DNA of Loro Piana, the inspiration for the design, the essence of the brand that uses the highest quality materials to create the most exquisite "touch" and the process of creating a façade inspired by this touch, are presented in a curated presentation by Mr. Aoki. The exhibition is curated by Mr. Aoki and offers both visual and tactile effects. Mr. Aoki comments on Loro Piana's products and materials. The first thing that struck me when I touched the products was the feel of the precious materials such as vicuna and baby cashmere. They are very smooth and do not prickle on the bare skin, which is something I have never experienced before. It was warm but sharp, almost lustrous in a visual sense. The brand's color, Kummel, is also a brick color, so it has a warmth and weight, but when you touch the fabric, it is smooth. At Loro Piana, elements that would not normally coexist can coexist.
Visitors can experience what Aoki feels when he touches Loro Piana's fabrics, how he gets his inspiration and how he transforms it into architecture.
Visitors can experience what Aoki feels when he touches Loro Piana's fabrics, how he gets his inspiration and how he transforms it into architecture.