LOT-EK
UNIQLO popups

an early popup concept to announce a japanese brand to New York

completed

2010

location

New York

client

Fast Retailing, Tokyo

size

160sf

collaborators

Haruka Saito, project lead, Silman Associates, structure

awards

concept & vision

we design two 20’-foot containers to tour New York City to introduce the Uniqlo brand to the United States. They move through different city neighborhoods to connect to special events and happenings. Traveling on a knuckle-boom truck, these containers function as pop-up stores fully equipped with shelving space, cash-wrap, and fitting room

design & architecture

vertical windows align with shelving - we highlight the display of folded clothing to the exterior, expressing the basic, warehouse-like stacks typical of the brand. Our fitting room is a custom-designed efficient and playful duct which gathers like an accordion towards the ceiling by a manually cranked pulley system. Linear bands of light repeat on both floor and ceiling, with mirrors at both ends of the containers to visually elongate the limited space

Dec 1, 2026

LOT-EK lectures at RIT Vignelli Center, Rochester

LOT-EK lectures at RIT Vignelli Center, Rochester

Nov 16, 2026

LOT-EK lectures at Jefferson University CADE, Philadelphia

LOT-EK lectures at Jefferson University CADE, Philadelphia

Oct 10, 2026

The Black Schoolhouse opens!

The Black Schoolhouse opens!

Sep 14, 2026

The Black Schoolhouse on World Architects

The Black Schoolhouse on World Architects

Sep 10, 2026

The Black Schoolhouse on The Architect’s Newspaper

The Black Schoolhouse on The Architect’s Newspaper

Jul 7, 2026

LOT-EK on Wallpaper* US400 list

LOT-EK on Wallpaper* US400 list

Apr 6, 2026

LOT-EK and Carroll House on PIN-UP 40

LOT-EK and Carroll House on PIN-UP 40

Mar 16, 2026

LOT-EK on koozArch

LOT-EK on koozArch