Kobe, Japan
micelle is a Kobe-based architecture and merchandising studio founded in 2017 by Katada Tomoki (b. 1984, Gifu) and Yamagami Yuko (b. 1978, Mie). Katada studied architecture at the University of Tokyo, graduating from the master's program in 2009, then worked at Schemata Architects (2009-2013) and CASE-REAL (2013-2014) before establishing micelle. Yamagami studied at Aoyama University before working at Sony Trading International and then at Welcome Co. as a merchandiser for CIBONE and chief merchandiser for TODAY'S SPECIAL. The studio describes its scope as covering all spaces and things from XS to XL, from merchandising to architecture and community. In 2018 Yamagami also opened OBG eu., a Fukuoka shop. Architecture projects include residential work in Fukuoka and Kobe characterized by detailed environmental and light strategies.