21st Century Prada

Avant-garde Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron have created a landmark design for luxury group Prada in their Tokyo store last month, continuing to push the boundaries of store design.

Reputed to have cost GBP52 million, the new store features technological gadgets that would sit more comfortable in a space ship than a retail environment. Touch sensitive screens throughout the store, suspended from the ceiling, can be used by customers to obtain information on the merchandise.

The changing rooms will consist of a wall of glass, statically charged to turn it from transparent to opaque.

At night, the building comes alive, an almost organic form - glowing from the lights on every floor.