Interior design plan for BAUM, a Japanese skin and mind brand focused on the blessings of trees. With the concept of "touching the forest," the aim was to create a space that harmoniously blends the rough and rich expressions of natural materials and the delicate details found in craftsmanship. Within the store, saplings, primarily oak trees, are cultivated. The goal was to create a space resembling a forest, where visitors can feel the breath and circulation of life through visual, auditory, tactile, and olfactory elements, incorporating not only the products but also ForestBank, the original material.
ForestBank, the main material used, focuses not only on processed lumber but also on the diverse value inherent in forests themselves. Designer Yuma Kano developed ForestBank by combining various elements associated with trees, such as small-diameter wood, branches, leaves, bark, and forest soil, which are typically considered low-value as timber resources. The mixture utilizes a reactive mineral-based, water-based acrylic resin that is completely free from organic solvents and VOCs.
For this project, BAUM collected branches, leaves, and unused parts directly from the "BAUM Oak Forest in Japan" where tree planting activities are conducted. These elements were incorporated into ForestBank in their natural form. The sustainable walls showcase the process of creating wooden packaging and the growth of saplings nurtured in the store, aligning with the theme of "coexistence with trees" and communicating BAUM's circular thinking through interior design, not limited to its products. The aim was to create a space where customers can engage with trees through their senses and have a tangible experience.
All materials, including wall tiles and fixture countertops, were custom-made. Despite the limited space and numerous constraints within the department store, the design plan was developed to maximize the effective utilization of store staff operations, customer flow planning, testers, and product stock.