The Marui Imai project is located at the base of a nine level building facing Sapporo’s pubic esplanade in the city center. The two level corner façade and 600 square-meter Louis Vuitton store are conceived to be perceived from distant perspectives and to perceive the expansive linear urban garden from within. This is achieved with a façade design composed of a large scale 3 x 3meter “Damier” or checkerboard structural grid that wraps the face of the two building levels with alternating openings of glass and metal mesh. From the exterior, the Glass squares contain window displays and open window to the interior, to allow for natural light and views. Alternately the large woven stainless steel squares are backed with luminous Damier walls that visually blend to create an illusive “moiré” effect that transforms from day to evening.
