Japanese company Nendo designs library-inspired concept for beauty product consumers
A Japanese design studio, Nendo, has designed a beauty products store where the products are displayed on a shelves which mirror the layout of a library. The result is aesthetically pleasing, with the bonus feature of being intuitive to navigate by anybody familiar with looking for books.
Rows of shelves run through the beauty library building, each populated with categorized beauty products for the shopper to choose from. Unlike a reading library, they are not packed together tightly, but rather spaced evenly under bright light to offer the best perspective to viewers choosing between options.
Some shelves run floor to ceiling, while others have a table with stools forming the bottom section so shoppers can test and examine products. To adhere with the library theme, these tables were designed to resemble the study tables any college student has spent many hours behind. Along the walls are other stations for testing and examining different products.
Near each product on display is a QR code, which browsers can use to find detailed product information with any smartphone, tablet, or other connected device. They can then choose to purchase the product on-site, or order online after leaving the beauty library.
This library of beauty was developed along an alley behind the Aoyama Street. This is Tokyo’s premier shopping and home to a variety of flagship stores for fashion brands designed by big-name architects. Inside, customers will also discover a café featuring food and beverages which promote health and wellness. Since health and beauty were Nendo’s guiding values in designing the library, all products showcased are natural, organic and cruelty-free.
Nendo is an architecture and design studio based in Toronto, and has been in business since 1977. Their website provides more information about the beauty library and other design projects.
Images: Takumi Ota