The new MUJI store in Harvard Square occupies four floors of the iconic former Design Research building. Located in the heart of Cambridge, the project reactivates one of the square’s most recognizable brutalist interiors with a deliberately restrained, sustainability-forward approach. Delivered in just ten weeks—on time and on budget—in collaboration with Votze Butler Associates as General Contractor and ACTWO Architects as Executive Architect, the project demonstrates what focused strategy and disciplined execution can achieve within a landmark context.
Mapos has been working closely with MUJI to strategically relaunch the brand across North America. The Cambridge store represents the first step in a broader, multi-year initiative to reintroduce MUJI as a comprehensive lifestyle brand—apparel and housewares forward, expanding well beyond the stationery and storage products historically associated with the company in this market. The relaunch envisions stores as both retail environments and experiential platforms, incorporating cafés, food offerings, and future grocery concepts tailored to specific regions. Mapos is serving as architectural consultant for real estate strategy, programming, and design as the brand evaluates diverse site opportunities across the United States, from nimble pop-ups to bespoke flagships.
Given the building's architectural pedigree, the design approach was intentionally light-touch, revealing and celebrating its brutalist character. Existing wood floors were sanded and refinished; brick entry flooring was preserved for its authentic patina; ceilings and lighting were strategically upgraded instead of replaced. Concrete columns, CMU walls, and the building’s floating stair were uncovered and foregrounded, restoring clarity to the original architectural language. Additive elements were minimal and purposeful, including locally sourced heart pine feature walls that introduce warmth while aligning with MUJI’s commitment to material honesty and sustainable reuse.
On the top floor, a café featuring a robotic barista offers a glimpse of MUJI’s highly efficient hospitality model, introducing experiential retail to the American audience. The partnership between Mapos and MUJI is rooted in shared values: sustainability, strategic reuse, and authenticity over overt branding. Together, the Cambridge store marks a measured yet significant first chapter in the brand’s North American evolution.
