Jun Aoki Unveils Curving Glass Masterpiece for Tiffany & Co in Tokyo

TOKYO - JAPAN: Tiffany & Co’s flagship store in Ginza has received a striking architectural transformation, with Japanese studio Jun Aoki & Associates wrapping the tower in flowing, translucent glass panels finished in the brand’s iconic Tiffany Blue. Rising 66 metres over one of Tokyo’s most prestigious retail districts, the mixed-use building introduces a sculptural façade that merges craft, movement and light.

Occupying the lower levels, Tiffany & Co commands the visual identity of the tower, while offices and restaurants sit above. Set on a prominent corner plot, the redesign reflects Ginza’s layered architectural character, where contemporary landmarks sit beside traditional commercial forms.

A façade inspired by movement and softness

Jun Aoki describes the design intent as an effort to both “fit in and stand out” within Ginza’s “mosaic-like” streetscape. Avoiding rigidity, the studio envisioned the external expression as something fluid, subtle and atmospheric.

“We were very conscious that the design could easily become too rigid and imposing. So, early on, our core vision was a ‘facade like a wisteria trellis swaying in the soft wind’,” Aoki told Dezeen.

“For this large project, we couldn't just do a single massive facade nor a patchwork.”

According to Aoki, the goal was to achieve a delicate shimmer that would soften the scale of the tower. “To make sure it didn't look too heavy, we needed a subtle ‘shimmer’ that would both fit in and stand out,” he said.

Crafted curves: each glass panel uniquely formed

Across the 13-storey structure, the exterior is articulated in three stacked volumes defined by outdoor terraces and recesses. This creates a visual rhythm while distinguishing the varied programmes within.

The curving glass panels attached to a secondary glazed surface, wrap around the tower, pushing outward at the corners to create gently bulging edges. Each panel is individually shaped, forming a rippling, sculptural surface.

“The three-dimensional curved glass panels, which account for 25 per cent of the total surface area, present a significant challenge: not only does each panel have a unique curved shape, but the angle of the supporting marionettes also varies at each support point,” Aoki explained.

Panels were also engineered to be fully removable for future maintenance, reinforcing the building’s long-term adaptability.

A luminous retail experience

At ground level, the glass curves upward to reveal a transparent storefront, where a signed entrance welcomes visitors from the busy intersection. Tiffany & Co spans four floors, supported by a basement level, with interiors framed by sheer curtains behind the glazed façade and elegant jewellery vitrines positioned along the perimeter.

To prevent a blue tint from spilling inside, the studio employed a ceramic printing technique to filter light and maintain ideal illumination for product displays.

Photography: Courtesy of Taisei Corporation unless otherwise stated.

Upper levels for dining, work and city views

Above, the tower transitions into office and restaurant spaces. These floors feature full-height openings, open-air terraces, and soft carpeted interiors, creating a calm contrast to the animated exterior envelope.

Nearby in Ginza, Tokyo’s design scene continues to evolve. I IN recently introduced glossy, Edo-purple interiors for a luxury department store, while Symbolplus brought natural materials into its own office redesign. Jun Aoki & Associates also continues its architectural legacy in Japan with prior projects such as Louis Vuitton’s pearlescent Tokyo façade and its Osaka flagship shaped like flowing glass sails.