Project Name
WADA Sports, Flagship Store
Posted in
Retail
Location
671-1223
Himeji City
Sakanoue 102-3 Aboshi
Japan
Design Studio
Matsuya Art Works / KTX archiLAB
Area (sqm)
412
Client
WADA Sports
Completed
September 2017
Detailed Information
Project NameWADA Sports, Flagship StorePosted inRetailLocation
671-1223
Himeji City
Sakanoue 102-3 Aboshi
Japan
Design StudioMatsuya Art Works / KTX archiLABArea (sqm)412ClientWADA Sports
CompletedSeptember 2017

Rackets, rackets and more rackets. Of every size, weight and color. Strung and unstrung. Hanging, propped, shelved and displayed everywhere the eye can see. Up, down and all around. Literally. Upon entry, recognition is instant regarding what exactly WADA Sports' new headquarters and flagship store in Himeji, a city in the Kansai region of Japan, is showcasing. In fact, Matsuya Art Works/KTX archiLAB and lead architect, Tetsuya Matsumoto, have created a tennis-lover's dream store.

Completed in September 2017 and dubbed "The Racket Submarine" by the designers, the building was constructed in honor of WADA Sports’ 30th anniversary. And it is quite the unexpected celebration. Although the exterior is impressively large, with a roof canopy that extends far out beyond the white walls and an enormous glass window fronting the double-height building's front, the rectangular structure is quite minimal in design. That is, until one steps inside...

Photo by Stirling Elmendorf.

Photo by Stirling Elmendorf.

Photo by Stirling Elmendorf.

Photo by Stirling Elmendorf.

This is where the party begins. The 412 square meter interior is overtaken (in a good sense!) by a gigantic, elliptical metal structure in its very center, which has both an architectural as well as a stylistic role. On the one hand, it supports the entire building with its frame, and on the other hand, is the main design fixture utilized to show off those hundreds (or maybe thousands?) of aforementioned tennis rackets in WADA Sports' repertoire. Other than being very eye-catching, the display makes it easy for customers to pick up the rackets and test them out, to feel their weight and thickness in their hands and select the best one for them.

Photo by Stirling Elmendorf.

Photo by Stirling Elmendorf.

Not only that, but hanging like chandeliers from the ceiling as well as from the highest parts of the elliptical display there is a showcase of valuable rackets that have been collected from all over Japan - from vintage wood rackets, to rackets used by famous players. A living museum, if you will.

Meanwhile, garments, shoes and other tennis-related accoutrements are displayed in the area surrounding the elliptical racket display, making it a one-stop-shop for anyone looking to improve their game... and look like an ace on the court while they do!

Photo by Stirling Elmendorf.

Photo by Stirling Elmendorf.

Photo by Stirling Elmendorf.

Photo by Stirling Elmendorf.

Photo by Stirling Elmendorf.

Photo by Stirling Elmendorf.

Photo by Stirling Elmendorf.

Photo by Stirling Elmendorf.

A Tennis Lovers’ Dream Shop for WADA Sports in Himeji, Japan

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