Cartier has unveiled its newly completed facade for the Ginza 4-chome Boutique in Tokyo, Klein Dytham architecture’s second major facade commission for the Maison. In a district defined by strict geometry and vertical rhythm, the new frontage introduces a gentle sculptural calm, expressed through soft, sweeping curves that seem to breathe with the light.

Rather than follow the linearity of Ginza’s cityscape, the elevation is wrapped in bespoke cast-aluminium panels whose elegant triple-curved forms recall the drape of a wedding dress or the fluid folds of silk. These layered surfaces create the impression of translucent ribbons cascading across the building, adding depth and subtly preparing visitors for the refined world that awaits inside.

The facade is composed of three stepped layers: cast aluminium panels, flat aluminium panels, and a glass layer printed with a ceramic pattern. This combination was developed through extensive prototyping to achieve both precise geometry and a finish that meets Cartier’s exacting standards. The sculptural quality of the composition is anchored by a rectangular frame that defines the outer boundary of the facade, giving the building a strong presence within its busy urban context.

A defining feature of the design is the decision to allow the curves to flow horizontally across the elevation. This creates a striking visual dialogue with the existing building’s vertically aligned aluminium louvres, which continue to veil much of the structure behind. The vertical rhythm of the louvres accentuates the soft horizontal sweep of the new cladding, resulting in a dynamic interplay of movement, direction, and light. The gentle curvature also helps dissolve the fire-compartment lines between floors, producing a seamless and unified elevation.

The geometric pattern embedded within the facade draws on Seigaiha, a traditional Japanese motif historically used in garments and decorative arts. While the pattern did not originally symbolize water, it has come to evoke gentle waves and expansive horizons—an auspicious expression of harmony and continuity. Cartier reinterprets this heritage motif with contemporary craftsmanship, grounding the building in its cultural setting while elevating it through the maison’s refined material language.

Central to the design is Cartier’s bespoke “Moon Gold” finish: a delicate, pale gold tone with a subtle white tint. Achieving its nuanced appearance required multiple rounds of surface testing and calibration. The resulting finish shifts gently with Tokyo’s changing light—cooler and more silvery in the morning, warmer and more luminous at dusk—imbuing the facade with a quiet, poetic animation throughout the day.

Following KDa’s Cartier Shinsaibashi Boutique, the Ginza 4-chome facade furthers the collaboration between the Maison and the Tokyo-based practice known for blending tradition with innovation. Klein Dytham architecture’s sensitivity to context, inventive handling of materials, and sculptural approach to form are all present here, culminating in a facade that is both contemporary and deeply rooted in craft and culture.

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Location - Ginza, Tokyo, Japan
Principal Use - Boutique