Nicolas G. Hayek Center
Shigeru Ban Architects · Tokyo, Japan · 2007
The Nicolas G. Hayek Center by Shigeru Ban is a watch-brand headquarters and retail building that treats the ground level as an extension of the street. Completed in 2007 for Swatch Group Japan, the building is known for its large glass shutters, open passage-like base and distinctive vertical arrangement of brand showrooms. Ban’s design transforms a commercial program into a semi-public architectural experience: when opened, the façade and ground floor create a sense of continuity between Ginza Chuo-dori and the interior. The project is a strong fit for ArchiAtlas because it combines technical façade thinking, retail strategy and urban generosity. It also demonstrates Shigeru Ban’s ability to make commercial architecture feel spatially inventive and publicly engaging.