Japanese practices Sasaki Architecture and Atelier O have transformed the ground level of a 40-year-old warehouse in Tokyo into a gallery for traditional Hina dolls (+ slideshow).
The Beishu Gallery is located in Taito area of Tokyo, inside an old warehouse building that previously served as a noodle restaurant.

The Beishu brand has long-produced traditional Hina dolls, which are typically dressed in the costume of the Japanese noble class.

"Beishu Hara is the only doll maker recognised by Japan," the architects told Dezeen. "He believed ideal faces for dolls are that of children, and that is why he created plump and peaceful face like a Buddhist statue."

Related story: Yusuke Seki showcases fragile hemp textiles across banks of metal rods
"Some of the dolls were presented to the crown prince at that time," they added. "They are popular among overseas royal families and celebrities."

The space is split up into two zones, with the gallery situated at the front and a showroom at the back.
In the gallery, movable furniture is used to enable the space to be flexible. Pendant lights illuminate the dolls head-on, creating shadows across the walls.

Inside the showroom area, Hina dolls are displayed upon rows of steel shelves that fold up to create doorways.
The shape and soft-yellow colour of these shelves is based on emakimonos ? illustrated picture scrolls created between the 11th and 16th centuries in Japan.

"Each se...