Muji

Japanese design culture has now hit the big screen on the Ku’Damm, one of Germany’s best-known shopping miles. Muji has opened a new location in the listed ‘Marmorhaus’, originally a cinema dating back to the 1910s. With 2,200 m² of space on four floors, the flagship store reveals the philosophy behind the brand: clear and simple products, carefully selected materials, rational production processes and reduced packaging. This approach is mirrored in the interior architecture, with room-high panels and islands of old timber as presentation space for apparel, household goods and food. Specially treated metal surfaces provide a contrasting look and feel. This aesthetic minimalism is set to continue in the extra gallery space planned for changing exhibitions — an idea imported directly from Tokyo. Japanese zeitgeist is making its debut in the west of Berlin.