Sustainable transformation SHIRO’s LUCUA IRE store in Osaka

Cosmetic brand SHIRO announced a fresh approach to store renewals, unveiling its revamped “SHIRO LUCUA IRE store” on September 1. This unique method revolves around two core principles: “not discarding” and “not creating anew.”

Typically, store renovations see an overhaul of design and resources. However, SHIRO’s renovation diverges from this path, maintaining its existing store layout and opting for resurfacing over replacing fixtures. The result is a renovated space achieved in a brief nine-day window without producing excess waste.

The construction sector generally holds that creating from scratch is cost-efficient. Contrarily, SHIRO’s initiative addresses an alarming reality: a surge in waste, despite many materials remaining usable. An average SHIRO store renovation yields 9.71m³ of construction waste. Based on projections for the LUCUA IRE store’s footprint, anticipated waste was about 7.72m³ — nearly 24 times an individual’s annual waste production. However, by pivoting to a design anchored in reuse and revitalization, SHIRO sidesteps this waste generation.

One of the store’s standout features is its vividly painted floor, achieved not by stripping the existing surface but by layering paint in a deliberate, artful manner, introducing a novel aesthetic.

This design transformation, started on August 18 and spanning several days, permits customers to witness the floor’s evolving look. Each SHIRO store blends natural elements like wood and stone, highlighting texture and color balance. The brand consistently focuses on integrating existing resources, from forest rejuvenation timber to manufacturing offcuts, always aiming for harmony with nature.