Majimaya confectionery tool shop
Keisuke miyamoto

Molds of happiness

KAMITOPEN Architecture-Design Office Co., Ltd. as Architects

The history of Kappabashi Tool Street began in the first year of the Taisho era (1912 C.E.) with several tool shops and antiquarian dealers set up at around Kappabashi Bridge over the Shinhori River.

Located in the middle of Ueno and Asakusa stations, about 170 specialty shops dealing with tableware, kitchen equipment, kitchen utensils, confectionery tools, food raw materials and packaging supplies are on the 800 meters arcade.
 

In 1946, Majimaya confectionery tool shop was founded by the current president's grandfather, Saburo Yoshida. He was succeeded that shop name in officially from Kisaburo Majima tool shop (the oldest confectionery tool shop in Japan) in Kanda Manseibashi.
 

At present, the shop located just around the corner of Asakusa Honganji Temple, about a 3-minute walk from Kappabashi Tool Street from Asakusa Street. They handle tools from all over the world as a specialty shop for confection.

Also, Hitoshi Ohgawara who is the craft man of wooden mold, he had made wooden mold about over sixty years at Majimaya. His molds were popular all over Japan and made the happiness of making sweets for many people. (But he is gone in 2019)

Those molds is making people's happiness.
So I designed by concept that "Molds of happiness".

There are 3000 different types molds that I must show. A layout was required that allowed the customer to see all of them smoothly and that placed no stress on the staff. In addition, there is a problem that it is an arcade area, and the space basement and the second floor is not effective space for shop.

I needed to solve the problem in a limited space. So I suggested setting up that evacuation stairs and protective fences with display of 3000 molds in the center of the building. In addition, I arranged 3000 tin boxes around there. By linking the display with the number printed on the box, it was made so that the customer could select it themselves and take out the required number from the stock.

In addition, during the planning of the building, all floors were connected by split-level floors, and while choosing molds, customers were guided to move up and down subconsciously. This solved the unique problem of arcade area.

I have chosen Coal-ten steel for the exterior material. This material increases the strength as it ages. It is a material suitable for "Majimaya" that be going to start even now to over 100 years.

I hope that from here, smiles will spread throughout Japan through the making of sweets.
 

 

Material Used :
1. CHIKUMAKOZAI CO.,LTD. - corten steel / COR-TEN t=4.5mm
2. Koa Non-Combustible Board Industry Co., Ltd. - non-combustible cemented excelsior board /  IF board
3. KAWAGURE Co.,ltd - universal grating / UF-25 made of steel SS400 t=25mm
4. Koiwa wire mesh Co.,ltd - shape of diamond wire mesh / E-GS2
5. Electric Glass Building Materials Co., Ltd. - Fire protection glass / FIRELITE PLUS


Software Used :
Vector Works  

Product Spec Sheet

ElementBrand
Universal grating / UF-25 made of steel SS400 t=25mmKAWAGURE Co., ltd
Non-combustible cemented excelsior board / IF boardKoa Non-Combustible Board Industry Co., Ltd.
Product Spec Sheet
Universal grating / UF-25 made of steel SS400 t=25mm
Non-combustible cemented excelsior board / IF board
Featured Projects
Latest Products
News
Townhouse Maison Carlier nestles in a busy urban setting
5 Jun 2023 News
Townhouse Maison Carlier nestles in a busy urban setting

In Montreal’s dense Little Italy neighborhood, Canadian architectural studio yh2 has designed... More

Hengqin Culture & Art Complex embraces large-scale porosity with three impressive arches
5 Jun 2023 News
Hengqin Culture & Art Complex embraces large-scale porosity with three impressive arches

The Hengqin Culture & Art Complex is part of the large-scale redevelopment of Hengqin Island, a... More

Goettsch Partners celebrate the completion of the sustainable mixed-use China Resource Qianhai Center
2 Jun 2023 News
Goettsch Partners celebrate the completion of the sustainable mixed-use China Resource Qianhai Center

With vibrant urban spaces, multiple programs, and efficient connections to rapid transit, the recent... More

25 best architecture firms in Spain
1 Jun 2023 News
25 best architecture firms in Spain

Spain's built landscape is a cultural mosaic, rooted in history and informed by a plethora of cultur... More

Selenite Dreams by BUREAU explores the essence of plaster and its transformation within space
1 Jun 2023 News
Selenite Dreams by BUREAU explores the essence of plaster and its transformation within space

Presented at Audemars Piguet in Brassus, Switzerland, Selenite Dreams is an exhibition design by BUR... More

Wooden lattice and monochromatic colours dictate this beauty clinic by In Out Studio in Spain
31 May 2023 News
Wooden lattice and monochromatic colours dictate this beauty clinic by In Out Studio in Spain

Spanish design firm, In Out Studio, create an aesthetic clinic in Gran Canaria, Spain. The beauty cl... More

Mexican equestrian clubhouse provides haven for horses and horse lovers alike
31 May 2023 News
Mexican equestrian clubhouse provides haven for horses and horse lovers alike

The Hípico Piedra Grande is a new equestrian clubhouse and center located in the State of Mex... More

David Adjaye’s Kwaeε serves as a temporal device at Venice Architectural Biennale
31 May 2023 News
David Adjaye’s Kwaeε serves as a temporal device at Venice Architectural Biennale

Kwaeε is the newest of Ghanaian-British architect David Adjaye’s earth-based social sc... More