- FEIT SOHO
This was the first store on our trip through SOHO, and it was one of my favourites. The entire store was very minimal and clean looking, mostly comprised of different types of wood and unique lighting accents.
Some materials and the way they have been applied to the space, as well as the overall materiality of the store as a result of using these specific materials is listed below:
Glass. The glass cabinets near the cash register of the store was successful in continuing the “clean” and minimal atmospheric feel of the store. It is a material that was used very little in the store, but the parts it was used it was subtle and suitable to feel of the store.
Plywood. This was used a lot throughout the store, and was noticeable for a few reasons. The shelving units were comprised of this, and due to the sides of the material being exposed, the layers of the wood made it obvious that the material was plywood. Also, the floor was made of plywood, and this was noticeable because of the size of the sheets. Plywood is the only wood available in such large sizes, thus it was a given that it was in fact Plywood. This gave the flooring a sort of “worn out” look. as it was obvious that certain parts had been walked on more than others, which I think is interesting to see in a retail store.
Cedar. The framing along the middle of the store is made of cedar wood, and is constructed in the same sort of way that wall framing is. This unique way of creating both a display area and a divider between mirrors and the main part of the store acts quite nicely in the space. Not to mention the powerful visual quality it portrays to the customers. I think that the spatial experience in this store from this framing is what makes the interior design so unique and successful.
Mirror. This was one material in the store we did not talk much about as a class, but I think it was one of the most powerful materials used in the entire space. By placing the mirrors behind the cedar framing, it created a feeling of depth within the store. With the store being in such a small but popular area of SOHO, the designer used the available space with the best of their ability. This depth that was created made the store feel much bigger then it actually was, giving an illusion of a large store.
2. PRADA SOHO
Note: The Prada store did not allow for us to take photos inside the store.
This particular Prada store is unlike any retail store I have ever seen. Its dramatic use of materials creates an atmosphere unlike anything else in the city. Some of the materials I observed in the store are listed below:
Zebra Wood. The application of this specific wood was the main focus of the store, without it, it would simply be like any other retail store in the city. With it, it stands out among high end retail stores across the world. The wave like structure that was formed using this wood is the focal point of the stores design, as it creates an area for runway shows right in the store. While not hosting these fashion shows, it is a place that draws in an experience that is indescribable. The designer of this store created their own rules as to what is acceptable in a retail environment.
Metal. Another very interesting aspect of the design is the hanging motorized metal display cages that are on tracks of the stores ceiling. This allows for certain areas of the store to be manipulated in times when new designs are brought in, and when it is time to change the arrangement of the inventory. The hanging element of these gives the visitors to the store a feeling of being small in the space. Similar to the first store we visited, the designer of this store wanted to take advantage of the high ceilings and amplify the idea within the space.
Rubber. One element to the stores design that had an interesting material quality was the seating areas for trying on shoes. The seats had thick rubber placemat like things placed on wood structures to indicate where to sit. This allowed for people to know where to sit, while also providing comfort.
3. APPLE STORE SOHO
Apple stores across New York City, and across the world, are famous for their sleek and minimal, yet functional and beautiful interior design. This all successful of course through the use of specific materials. Some materials we observed in the store are the following:
Glass. This material is used all over the apple store. The focal point of this particular apple store is the glass staircase leading to the upper level that is right in front of the main entrance. The glass used on this staircase has many important qualities. It is 5 layers of 1/2″ thick glass, that have been laminated together. Not only does this provide structural support for the staircase, but it also provides a safety element. If one layer of glass were to break, there would still be a guard in place with the help of the other four layers. This allowing for no accidents. The usage of glass in this store provides the clean and minimal atmosphere that apple is so famous for in their stores. Without it, apple may not have as high of an acclaim for their interior design as they currently do.
Metal. Metal is something that is used in the store in a minimal yet functional way, while still providing the store with the design feel it wants to portray. The custom circle metal support brackets shown in the photo above provide the structural support between the glass slabs that are the treds of the staircase, the sides of the stair. This again keeping with the clean and simple approach to design in the apple store.
Stone. The flooring used in the apple store is very minimal and clean, and it is made of stone. This slate grey colour provides the ability to help make the store maintain its clean look, as it is not hard to keep clean ( no shine ) and it is a colour that can help to mask dirt and dust.
4. CAMPER SOHO
This particular store is one that stands out due to its design in comparison to neighbouring stores. What I liked so much about this store was the simple way of only using two/three colours throughout the entire store. This can be a design technique that can either make or break the atmosphere of a space, and here I think it is very successful. Some of the materials I observed in this store are listed below:
Mirror. Similar to the first store we visited, the use of mirror in this store gave the illusion of depth, but only visible when standing and looking in one direction when inside the store. This hidden mirror element allowed for the store to at some points visually look open, but when looking from another view point it looks the opposite. This organization of the shelving units is one aspect of the store that makes it so unlike any other designs. This “optical illusion” wall is a stand out element, and the focal point of the store’s interior design.
Corrugated Aluminum. The ceiling of this store was another element that stood out in the design of the space. While staying with the idea of visual changes as someone moves through the store, this corrugated “L” shaped aluminum allows for visitors to see a red ceiling from one view point, and a white ceiling from another. This creates an interesting interaction between the visitors and the design. It draws attention to something that most designers try to distract people away from. That is why I like this design element so much, as did my classmates and other visitors to the store.
Coated Table Tops. The clean lines of the table tops that match the pattern on the floor gives a consistent and simple design to the store. The coating technique used on this surface allows for it to wrap around the sides, in comparison to just being on the top, to give it a clean look overall. The continuation of these stripes makes it seem as though the table is just an elevated version of the ground. Similar to the rest of the store, this is dependent on where you are looking at it from.
