A Soft Threshold between Street and Sanctuary
A Cross-Cultural Expression of Japanese Calm

Set within Shibuya Stream ― a commercial complex designed to feel like a small town, where natural air and wind flow freely through shared spaces ― the kushiage shop Kushitei Shibuya draws that flow inward. We aimed to craft a space that would feel like a natural extension of the public walkway. The client envisioned Japanese, with a quiet cosmopolitan flair. To give form to that vision, we used contemporary materials to express traditional Japanese structure, introducing European tilework as a contrasting accent to enrich the layered aesthetic. We extended the floor of the zashiki seating area onto the engawa, blurring the line between inside and out. The intention was to create a setting in which guests sipping drinks at the edge would naturally mingle with those seated inside ― a soft convergence of interior and threshold. With the sliding wooden doors opened wide, diners on the engawa can enjoy the breeze from the shared corridor while a relaxed interplay with those inside unfolds ― the imagined scene of a dining space seamlessly connected to the town realised. Another striking expression of contemporary wa is the metal lattice that casts intricate shadows onto the pavement. These patterns weave an emotionally evocative atmosphere, imparting a timeless tranquility to the bustle of modern-day Shibuya.