16AOUT complex | Masaru Ito

16AOUT COMPLEX is a multi-brand boutique whose theme is melange. The word means mixture in French and the super-stylish shop boasts a wide selection of rattlers from around the world by a charismatic director. It is no ordinary shop. It sells not only clothes but also many other products including furniture, saying "Everything in the shop is an article for sale except sales clerks."

As for interior design, the floor was finished with deep black stucco with resin made in Italy poured over it to make the floor shine like a water surface and the neutral mortar walls were decorated by Italian tiles which change their glitter depending on the time of day and the angle and position from which they are seen, from champaign gold to silver foil. So the whole space is simple yet edgy. Customers can enjoy the way the walls shine differently from different places as they walk around and look at the goods on display.

The shop furniture and fixtures were collected from all over the world. A step into the shop and you will notice the name of the shop "16AOUT" spelt with very large letters made of aluminium finished with rivets. This creates an atmosphere that is different from ordinary classy boutiques. Other fixtures are simple and usually made of bare steel. The resultant unity is accentuated by plants in a huge flower vase, a giant chandelier of Venetian glass and pendant lights rhythmically dotting the space. All these displays are possible only in this place with a high ceiling.

A VIP room is provided for special customers. It has a surprising gimmick hidden in the mirror on the entrance door. Although the interior looks grungy with a sofa made with artificially damaged patchwork velvet, an artificially damaged curtain, and mortar walls, it was designed to be a space customers intuitively feels cozy.

In meetings with the owner, we agreed to make a space that will change itself drastically with the times. So we intended it to be like a gallery suitable for a divers range of exhibitions. The result is an evolved form of gallery that is slightly different from ordinary ones.