An eye-catching green building along the Meguro River, Ramdane Touhami, an entrepreneur who has been involved in numerous design projects including OFFICINE UNIVERSELLE BULY , opened the store WORDS, SOUNDS, COLORS & SHAPES in May 2025. He opened his first store in Paris last year, and this is his second store here in Japan. We will unravel the thoughts put into the store from his philosophical point of view.
The Store Reflects Ramdane's Philosophy with the Theme of “Nature"
The name “WORDS, SOUNDS, COLORS & SHAPES” (“WSCS”) comes from “WORDS” which we use as a language, “SOUNDS” from Ramdane’s radio program, ‘COLORS’ from his love of colors, and “SHAPES” from the various things he has shaped in the past. WSCS is a hot spot not only for shopping, but also for architecture and art.
Ramdane’s choice of “nature” as the theme for the WSCS store in Japan was inevitable, as he grew up surrounded by and living in harmony with nature from an early age. Seeing the mountaineering shoes, backpacks, and carabiner-inspired earrings in the show window, remind us of nature. He aims for zero plastic in consideration of the global environment. He uses materials from nature and materials that are environmentally friendly and utilizes them in every idea in their original form as much as possible.
Environmentally Conscious Architecture, Mr. Ramdane's Fascinating Design Technique
Upon entering the store, visitors would feel the aroma and warmth of the wood. Taking advantage of the structure of the building, which was originally a lumber shop, the ceiling has been pulled out to reveal beams. The high ceilings make the space look spacious, and the artwork displayed in all areas of the store make you feel as if you are in a gallery. Even the merchandise could be considered as an art piece that serves as the face of the store. Every detail, from the floor to the doors, has been reused as they were when the shop was a lumberyard. He says that the interior of the store, with its woody vibes and modern elements, is a bit like the Drei Berge Hotel he produced in Switzerland.
The distinctive green exterior is the same color as his favorite car, a 1940s-50s Honda Vamos. The distinctive green building in Nakameguro is sure to inspire many Tokyoites in the future, along with his worldview. The store is filled with his philosophy and persistence, and the same can be said for the items he carries in his store.
Zero Plastic! The Original Brand Reflecting the Spirit of Ramdane
The items lined up in the store are his original brand, DIE DREI BERGE, named after the Drei Berge Hotel in Switzerland, which he produced.
His original brand is not only for environmental preservation purposes, but also because he dislikes the feel of plastic. To avoid environmental impact, he has a strong will to reduce the production and use of chemical plastics to as close to zero as possible, and he is committed to using materials of natural origin, such as cotton and silk.
Ramdane’s creations, made with the finest materials, are manufactured mainly in Japan and Italy, with a special emphasis on the production background of each product. Shirts with prints on silk produced on shuttle looms at a silk factory in Fukui Prefecture, vivid and crisp colors using yuzen dyeing in Kyoto, and dyeing methods that delicately dye fine patterns are not just to look at, but to actually touch and feel, creating even more appeal. By connecting the Japan’s dying traditions, it will develop the Japanese local cities culture and technology.
WSCS’s nature-themed, detail-oriented buildings, items, and artwork reveal Ramdane’s philosophy. While looking around the store, I found an interesting piece of art. The message says “THE THREE ESSENTIALS HUMAN BEINGS CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT – FOOD, WARMTH and SHELTER. MONEY IS NOT REAL WEALTH”. In a previous interview with WWD, Ramdane said he never thinks about cost. This is an impactful statement for modern people who are too busy to work. However, if you were to live in nature and have food, shelter, and warmth, money might not be necessary. It made me realize what is essential and important, and I felt like I could peek inside his head a little.
He plans to open a cafe and gallery on the second and third floors of the building, and it is exciting to see how his vision will be reflected in the theme of the great nature that he senses through WSCS.
writer
atsushi
Born in 1995. Born and raisend in Kochi Prefecture, Japan. After studying abroad in the U.S.,went to Australia for working holiday and joined the Tender Party in 2024. In charge of sustainability and fashion related issues at TP. Sometimes a model. Sometimes a cat sitter.
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