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Shibuya Tsutaya Complex comercial by Tonerico:Inc.

Shibuya Tsutaya Complex comercial by Tonerico:Inc. is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award d'Argent in Disseny d'Espais Interiors i Exposicions Competition Category.


ArgentInterior· 2026

Shibuya Tsutaya Complex comercial

by Tonerico:Inc.

A' Design Award d'Argent Winner in Interior Category

Colors

The Design

About Shibuya Tsutaya Complex comercial

Shibuya Tsutaya és un complex comercial situat al pas de vianants de Shibuya, a Tòquio. L'edifici es va reduir al seu esquelet estructural, i els espais nus es van unificar amb materials grisos per formar un llenç neutre. Cadascun dels dos nivells de soterrani i dels set pisos superiors té el seu propi caràcter, però totes les àrees s'han deixat intencionadament inacabades per permetre canvis futurs. Es van eliminar els elements no essencials per crear línies de visió clares i una circulació senzilla. Uns 500 seients i directoris digitals donen servei als visitants, i una gran pantalla a la façana mostra notícies i informació sobre esdeveniments.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award d'Argent

Shibuya Tsutaya Complex comercial és un guanyador del guardó A' Design Award d'Argent, un reconeixement extraordinàriament prestigiós concedit a dissenys d'alta gamma, esplèndids i impressionants. Els guanyadors d'Argent són obres tremendament brillants i summament creatives que il·lustren la perícia, el talent i la perspicàcia excepcionals dels seus dissenyadors. Es preveu que Shibuya Tsutaya Complex comercial sigui una obra meravellosa i de gran lluïment, remarcablement professional i profundament innovadora. Aquest disseny guanyador del guardó A' Design Award d'Argent és un invent molt notable i admirat que beneficia i fa avançar els límits de l'art, la ciència, el disseny i la tecnologia. Shibuya Tsutaya Complex comercial és una creació molt envejada que evoca desitjos, introdueix sentiments positius i desperta sorpresa i admiració.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties
Shibuya TSUTAYA was stripped down to its structural skeleton, with the raw space unified in gray materials to create contrast with later-added elements and to preserve an “unfinished” canvas throughout the building.
While each floor maintains its unique character, no area is ever fully designed—each is intentionally left open-ended. This deliberate unfinished incompleteness suggests the potential for future transformation.
Dimensions & Packaging
On the first floor, the entrance was widened by adjusting the angle of the sash doors, and a secondary entrance was added on the Center-Gai shopping street side along the diagonal axis.
To accommodate the building's complex layout, comprising two basement levels and seven floors above ground, and its reliance on escalators for vertical circulation, all non-essential elements beyond regulatory requirements were removed to create a clear, connected spatial flow with uninterrupted sightlines.
Tags
Shibuya, TSUTAYA, Renewal, Unfinished Space, Skeletonization, Flexible Space, Commercial Facility, Visual Connectivity, Dynamic Design, Evolving City
Production Technology
To maximize the floor area on every level, the core zones—including back-of-house spaces—were organized so that, even in their bare state, they serve as a neutral spatial backdrop.
Alongside this structural skeletonization, the bare spaces were unified with gray materials to distinguish them from the elements inserted later, intentionally leaving a gray “canvas” throughout the space.
Design Challenge
Since visitors come from diverse countries and regions, the circulation plan needed to be intuitive and encourage proactive movement.
Additionally, to facilitate information access within the facility, strategically placed digital directories provide updates using minimal text and strong visuals—benefiting users while also easing operational demands.
Research
Shibuya is a town where people from many different countries, regions, and generations come and go. Therefore, we conducted thorough research on the surrounding area. We surveyed people in the town to learn what they currently need and what is lacking, and we reflected these findings in the floor layout. For example, many respondents noted a lack of places to rest, so we decided to include approximately 500 seats in the facility.
Inspiration
Shibuya is a hub of creative energy—constantly evolving, and defined by its openness to change and its allure as an unfinished city. This nature inspired the project’s core concept: “leaving space unfinished.”
The concept took years to develop, beginning with a full structural reset to explore the site's potential. Located directly at Shibuya Crossing, the design reimagines how the space can respond to the present moment and act as a new cultural platform.
Project Duration
The project was launched in Tokyo on March 5, 2021, and opened in Shibuya, Tokyo on April 25, 2024.
Operation Flow
Situated at the iconic Shibuya Crossing—where approximately 500,000 people pass daily—the building’s façade features a large LED screen designed for visibility from multiple angles.
This screen continually broadcasts not only in-house event updates but also news and timely advertisements, transforming the architecture into a dynamic hub that connects the city, its people, and businesses.
Team Members
Hiroshi Yoneya
Ken Kimizuka
Kai Kitahara
Momo Suzuki
Image Credits
Main Image: Photographer Nacása & Partners Inc., SHIBUYA TSUTAYA, 2024.
Image #1: Photographer Nacása & Partners Inc., SHIBUYA TSUTAYA, 2024.
Image #2: Photographer Nacása & Partners Inc., SHIBUYA TSUTAYA, 2024.
Image #3: Photographer Nacása & Partners Inc., SHIBUYA TSUTAYA, 2024.
Image #4: Photographer Nacása & Partners Inc., SHIBUYA TSUTAYA, 2024.

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