Architectural Record
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Subscribe
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Architectural Record
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • Awards
    • Interviews
    • Obituaries
    • Podcasts
      • Design:Ed Podcast
      • Sponsored Podcasts
  • OPINION
    • Book Reviews / Excerpts
    • Exhibition Reviews
    • Forum
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Videos
    • Design Vanguard
    • Top 300 Firms
    • Sponsored Content
    • Sponsored eBooks
    • From the Archives
  • CONTINUING ED
    • Editorial Continuing Ed
    • CE Center
    • CE Academies
  • PROJECTS
    • Buildings By Type
    • Reuse & Renovation
    • Museums & Arts Centers
    • Colleges & Universities
    • Multifamily Housing
    • Interiors
    • Lighting
    • Kitchen & Bath
  • HOUSES
    • Record Houses
    • House of the Month
    • Featured Houses
  • PRODUCTS
    • Products by Category
    • Record Products of the Year
    • Latest Products
  • EVENTS
    • Dates & Events
    • Record on the Road
    • Innovation Conference
    • Sustainability in Practice
    • Women In Architecture
    • Webinars
    • Ad Excellence Awards
    • Submit an Event
  • CONNECT
    • Ask RECORD AI
    • Newsletters
    • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Store
    • Customer Service
  • SUBMIT
    • Submission Guidelines
    • RECORD Competitions
  • MAGAZINE
    • Subscribe
    • My Account
    • Digital Edition
    • Current Issue
    • Firm Pass
    • Historic Archive
Record Interiors

Jin’s Global Standard Kobe-Kita

A whimsical eyeglass shop embodies a residential vibe.

By Rebecca Ward
Jin's Global Standard Kobe Kita

Photo © Takumi Ota

Jin's Global Standard Kobe Kita

Photo © Takumi Ota

Jin's Global Standard Kobe Kita

Photo © Takumi Ota

Jin's Global Standard Kobe Kita

Image courtesy Ryuji Nakamura Architects Co., Ltd

Jin's Global Standard Kobe Kita
Jin's Global Standard Kobe Kita
Jin's Global Standard Kobe Kita
Jin's Global Standard Kobe Kita
September 1, 2008

Architects & Firms

Ryuji Nakamura Architects

Kobe-shi, Hyogo, Japan

People/Products

Jin’s Global Standard 1,830-square-foot eyeglass shop is situated within a suburban shopping center in Kobe. The design embodies the residential development of the surrounding area; once-vacant lots are now filling with concrete foundations. The concrete partitions that are formed in the early process of construction were the inspiration in creating a shop that invites the visitor to meander through the compartmentalized space.

Concrete slabs rise from the foundation and subdivide the shop’s interior; the ledges provide space for assorted eyeglass displays. The shop is encased in white emulsion-painted walls that are randomly decorated with over 1,000 pieces of walnut wood slabs thinly sliced into 20 different patterns.

Lauan plywood display shelves line the whimsical walls. Tables and furniture sculpted from plywood are arranged throughout the space to serve as display surfaces and are also for sale.

The playful walls are mimicked in the lighting design with bare bulbs that dangle from the ceiling.


People

Owner:
JIN CO.,LTD.

Architect:
Ryuji Nakamura Architects Co., Ltd.
1-14-15-516 Aobadai, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-0042, Japan
phone +81-(0)3-3770-5561
fax +81-(0)3-3770-5561
www.ryujinakamura.com

Personnel in architect's firm who should receive special credit:
Principal Architect: Ryuji Nakamura

Architect in charge: Ryuji Nakamura

General contractor:
MIK Planning,Inc.

Photographer(s):
Takumi Ota
ota@phota.jp
+81-(0)3-3350-6120

CAD system, project management, or other software used:
Vector Works

 

Products

Structural system:

Interior finishes:
Paints and stains: wall, ceiling: emulsion paint, floor: Wax paint

Wallcoverings: Sliced walnut sheet, waist-high wall: exposed concrete

Special surfacing: top of waist-high wall: enamel paint, B.D. CLASSIC ENTERPRISES,INC.

Furnishings:
Custom-designed furniture for display: Plywood

Special surfacing: Top board: enamel paint, B.D. CLASSIC ENTERPRISES,INC.

Lighting:
Interior ambient lighting: custom-designed, 110V halogen, 35W, ITL Co.,Ltd.

Furniture lighting: custom-designed, 110V halogen, 35W, ITL Co.,Ltd.

 

 
KEYWORDS: Japan

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Post a comment to this article

Report Abusive Comment

Subscription Center
  • Create an Account
  • Start a Subscription
  • Manage My Account
  • Sign Up for Newsletters
  • Visit Customer Service
  • Update Preferences

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Architectural Record audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Architectural Record or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • cold storage facility
    Sponsored byCarlisle SynTec Systems

    How Architects Can Design More Continuous Cold Storage Envelopes

  • TAMLYN XtremeTrim Exterior Trim
    Sponsored byTamlyn

    Designing Cleaner Panel Facades: Why Exterior Trim Details Matter

  • Building with Vapor Barriers
    Sponsored byReef Industries, Inc.

    Vapor Barriers Help Control Moisture in Tighter Building Designs

DESIGN:ED Podcast
Listen to Architectural Record’s DESIGN:ED Podcast

Events

June 30, 2026

Generator Selection and Sizing for Outage-Ready Homes

Credits: 1 AIA LU/HSW; 1 AIBD P-CE; 0.1 ICC CEU

Explore how propane-powered systems and whole-home generators can improve energy resilience, reduce electrical loads, and lower long-term residential costs.

July 1, 2026

Hospitality in Higher Education

Credits: 1 AIA LU/HSW; 1 AIBD P-CE; 0.1 ICC CEU

Explore how hospitality-driven campus design can strengthen belonging, wellbeing, and community connection in higher education environments.

View All Submit An Event

Products

2026 Architect's Square Foot Costbook

2026 Architect's Square Foot Costbook

See More Products

Popular Stories

Obama Presidential Center, Chicago

The Obama Presidential Center Opens on Chicago’s South Side

Kìwekì Point, Ottawa, Canada

Perched High Above the Ottawa River, Kìwekì Point Showcases Sweeping Views of the Canadian Capital Region

Baileywick Park

An Elegant Pavilion by In Situ Studio Adds Sheltered Courts and a Gateway to a Public Park in Raleigh

Ayn Rand Center rendering

John Ronan Architects Designs Cultural and Education Hub for the Ayn Rand Institute in Austin

Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre

A Combined Velodrome and Community Recreation Hub Reinforces the Character of an Existing Park in Edmonton

Generator Selection and Sizing for Outage-Ready Homes - Free Webinar - June 30, 2026

Related Articles

  • Jin Global Standard Nagareyama

    Jin’s Global Standard Nagareyama

    See More
  • China Awards 2012: Jin Jiang River Corridor Master Plan

    See More
  • Bullitt Center

    Architecture 2030 Launches ‘Zero Code’ Standard

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • 1118715683.gif

    Kitchen and Bath Design Principles: Elements, Form, Styles, 2nd Edition

See More Products
×

The latest news and information

#1 Source for Architectural Design, News and Products

SUBSCRIBE
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Submit
    • Store
  • ACCOUNT CENTER
    • Create an Account
    • Start a Subscription
    • Manage My Account
    • Sign Up for Newsletters
    • Visit Customer Service
    • Update Preferences
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • Linkedin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)

Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing