Hasta La Ideas

Rubber-coated fabric is pinned to the walls and ceiling of this fashion boutique in Zagreb, Croatia.

Croatian architect Vanja Ilić designed the interior as both a shop and exhibition space for fashion designer Branka Donassy, who has a studio nearby.

“Not only was the treatment of the fabric inspired by Donassy’s sculptural forms, perfect cuts and avant-garde fashion garments, but all of the textile elements in the implementation of the project were manufactured in Atelier Donassy,” Ilić told Dezeen.

The shop is located within an old building in the north of the city and the pinned fabric reveals the outline of an existing barrel-vaulted ceiling.

Lighting is positioned behind the material and diffuses through as a subtle glow. Meanwhile, clothing can be suspended from hooks at each of the pinch-points.

Black and white curtains surround changing rooms at the back of the store, while the few solid walls and surfaces are made from black-painted chunky chipboard.

We’ve previously featured a couple of fashion boutiques with fabric interiors, including a temporary store in Budapest and a Melbourne shop covered in tights.

See more fabric interiors on Dezeen »

Photography is by Miljenko Bernfest.

Here’s a project description from Vanja Ilić:

Donassy Open Atelier, temporary exhibition space and shop, Zagreb, 2012

The Donassy Open Atelier project created a temporary, flexible showroom whose purpose is to exhibit the work of the fashion designer Branka Donassy and other visiting artists. The existing storefront is in a historicist building, in a zone between Zagreb’s Upper and Lower Town. It has a barrel vault ceiling and is transformed with minimal budget and no building interventions. Architecture and fashion overlap, with the fashion design fabrication techniques completing the unique conceptual whole. The concept references exploration of avant-garde forms, construction and the meticulous nature of the artist’s work itself.

The basic element of spatial design here is an elastic translucent cloth tailored and sewn according to the principles of couture, with no additional construction, anchored into the existing structure just with bolts, in a dotted pattern, which in the end resulted in an autonomous voluminous structure. Thus the whole space is draped in an elastic membrane which is simultaneously a form making element as well as a system to accomplish a diffuse and uniformed lighting, thanks to fluorescent tubes installed between existing vaulted ceiling and the translucent membrane itself. The anchoring elements are at the same time hooks for exhibits. The clothes racks are flexible and mobile so as to ensure quick transformation of space when needed. The rectangular black rubber coated fabric surface on the façade frames the front glass door, covering the damaged existing façade and accentuating the entrance, being a clear link between two worlds, the interior and exterior one. The floor is finished in contrast with the translucent luminous interior membrane, using black painted OSB panels.

Name of the object: Donassy open atelier
Address, town: Zagreb, Croatia
Author: Vanja Ilić
Architectural office: Vanja Ilić Architecture

Client: Donassy open atelier
Net area: 35 m2
Project: year 2012
Completed: year 2012
Costs 2.600 eur

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by Vanja Ilić appeared first on Dezeen.

Architecture and design studio HRC Design Works has transformed an ageing warehouse beside the HuangPu River in Shanghai into a leisure and shopping destination with a plant-covered cafe and a cave-like shoe store.

Sotto Sotto is positioned beside the old dock in the South Bund district and HRC Design Works designed the building as an attraction that would bring new visitors to the area whilst respecting the history of the converted building.

The architects used raw materials such as stone, copper and unfinished wood to make connections with nature in each space, as well as to respect the existing structure. “We’d rather have pure original structure than style,” they explain.

The new spaces include shops, cafes and wine bars, as well as a cigar lounge and reception area.

HRC Design Works founded their studio in Singapore, but moved back to Shanghai in 2009. “There is a crowd of people in China who have resided and studied abroad for several years, but are now coming back to the mainland to realise their dreams,” explain the designers.

The South Bund district is also home to The Waterhouse, a boutique hotel in a disused army headquarters, which was named best interiors project at the Inside awards in 2011.

Last week Dezeen visited Shanghai to take part in a series of discussions about architecture and design in China. See the snapshots from our trip on Facebook, or read about Neri&Hu’s new Shanghai design centre in our earlier story.

While we were there, Hong Kong-based designer Michael Young also tipped China to have as many world-class designers as Japan within 20 years.

See all our stories about Shanghai »
See all our stories about China »

Photography is by Peter Dixie.

Here’s some more information from HRC Design Works:

Sotto Sotto, which in an ancient warehouse, is located along the HuangPu River. It is also called Old Dock. The long history was consisted of the conceptions from ShiLiuPu, Li HongZhang, Titain QingBang, Huang JingRong, DuYueSheng and MinSheng Company. Here used to be the most prosperous port in Shanghai. And now, we choose here to let people enjoy a new life style and shopping experience.

Here to collect for luxury shops, café, red wine and cigar. Combined with arts auctions and original home furnishing brands, we are also advocating a brand new shopping experience and relaxation area. When you go through the shopping area and come to the cafes, have a taste of the coffee, enjoying the view of the ships, letting the wind blowing hair, having free rein to your imagination. How luxury it is to have such a wonderful time in the afternoon, which is popular with those people who have high demand of lifestyle.

In this ancient warehouse, we design it on the basis of respect and protection. Combining the recognition and history with the new environment, we always make every effort to make city architecture readable. As far as the ancient city architecture is concerned, designers think it should be readable as literature. It’s quite important that people can read its history and rich charm. Therefore, we’d rather have pure original structure than style. Here is the perfect place for you to relax from the fast pace of the city life. Under relaxing shopping atmosphere, you can look back from the past to present and future. All things here is the memory, the memory of the ancient architecture, the memory the people in this generation. The ancient wood, the sheet cooper, the bearing wood are reminding people to find themselves in this poetical space and learn a new life style through their new personal experience.

Project: The Bund SOTTO SOTTO
Location: Shanghai
Owner: Private
Design Studio: HRC DESIGN WORKS PTE.LTD.(Singapore)
Designer: Fei Liu
Area: 1400 Sq.m.
Material: Marble, Stainless Steel, Wood Board
End Time: Aug. 6 2012

Above: floor plan – click above for larger image

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HRC Design Works appeared first on Dezeen.

An ancient Chinese courtyard garden tucked away in the hutongs of Beijing provides the setting for seasonal installations at curated design shop WUHAO.

Founder and curator Isabelle Pascal, who discovered the run-down complex and renovated the buildings and gardens in 2010, told Dezeen that she developed the idea and the space “to give young designers and brands a platform” to present their work.

The concept of the shop and installations centres around the five Chinese elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water.

Each of these elements is associated with a season, so the space is transformed every three months to provide a fresh setting and the opportunity to showcase new and different designs.

Spring is associated with wood, summer is symbolised by fire, autumn is represented by metal and winter relates to water, whereas earth signifies the transition periods between the seasons.

The metamorphosis is most apparent in the entrance space, which is completely overhauled with different colours, materials and products to embody the current season and element.

From the entrance pavilion, a circular opening leads through to a terraced garden where furniture and other weather-resistant designs are displayed.

The garden is flanked to the east and west by showrooms in traditional brick buildings, which house collections by designers.

The main pavilion to the north of the garden contains an archaic, semi-enclosed bed at the core of the complex, which is also redecorated each season and is used to display featured designers’ work.

Collections on show include Naihan Li’s crates that fold-out to become furniture, which we featured as part of our Beijing Design Week 2011 coverage.

WUHAO created a pop-up teahouse for Beijing Design Week 2011 wherevisitors were served tea at a heat-sensitive colour-changing table – read our story about it here.

See all our stories about retail »
See all our stories about Beijing »

Here is some more information from WUHAO:

“5 elements – 4 seasons – 1 collection”
Retail – Events – Cross Branding – Limited Editions

Born from Isabelle Pascal’s enthusiasm for the “5 elements” of Chinese philosophy, as well as the energy found in the Chinese creative scene, WUHAO is a holistic project that mixes design, fashion, products, visions and insights. A young, fresh-thinking platform, it aims to showcase and foster the most talented and eco-conscious designers, brands and talents from China and abroad.

Created in spring 2010 in the heart of Beijing, WUHAO recently celebrated its second-year cycle. It is situated between Houhai Lake and Lama Temple, and is a quick walk from bustling Nanluoguxiang – in a unique, peaceful atmosphere.

As a young company, WUHAO is constantly involved in retail, events, cross branding and limited edition work including nurturing six young, upcoming Chinese designers (Xiao Tianyu, Su Chunrong, Zheng Haichen, Wang Kaichuan, Wang Hao, Zhang Cheng) and providing them with the opportunity to showcase their talent to the world. These designers’ works are now available as part of WUHAO’s collection.

Hidden beyond the red doors of Mao’er Hutong 35, Wuhao Curated-Shop Beijing is WUHAO’s first temporary display box. Each season, there are eye-catching installations and new displays for a unique selection of products. It is always striving to provide guests with a unique experience.

Catering to an eclectic community of both Chinese and foreign, global and local, WUHAO holds a contemporary vision of the traditional Chinese garden and has been quoted by Wallpaper* magazine as one of the “20 terrific reasons to visit China”. Starting with only 15 designers in 2010, WUHAO today is now working with a growing network of over 100 Chinese and international creatives.

Moved by its inner dynamic, WUHAO traveled in 2011 to Milan Furniture Fair with designers Xiao Tianyu and Wang Hao, accepted more and more invitations to develop partnerships, and teamed up with young talents such as Huo Yi Jin to create exclusive products. WUHAO’s Dunhuang-inspired wallpaper – a long-term collaboration with Nick Wu – was awarded ‘Best Wall Covering Design’ by ELLE Decoration’s International Design Awards China.

WUHAO also set up site-specific installations with designers Li Nai Han, INNOVO/PINWU and MPMP, developed side car moto tours with Beijing Sideways and emerged via pop up projects.

A notable example is WUHAO @ The Teahouse, created especially for Beijing Design Week 2011 in partnership with Tranquil Tuesdays. The temporary Dashilar space was featured in more than 65 media outlets, providing a new opportunity to spread WUHAO’s unique spirit from the walls of the Chinese garden to the design world. With 2 years of existence, 2 cycles, 8 installations, WUHAO less secret but still exclusive is now ready with its partners to broaden horizons and embark on new adventures.

The post WUHAO Curated Shop
by Isabelle Pascal appeared first on Dezeen.

Japanese studio Schemata Architecture Office cast concrete in a fabric bag to give the counter of this confectionary kiosk in Tokyo the texture of a boiled sweet (+ slideshow).

Located within a department store, Papabubble at Tokyo Daimaru is the latest in a chain of handmade candy shops and architect Jo Nagasaka explained how he wanted customers to be able to watch the sweet-making process over the counter.

“We designed a large counter where they do all works such as melting sugar, making patterns, cutting, wrapping and selling,” he said.

The concrete counter folds around the kiosk and displays the rounded edges and creases of its fabric mould. “We made the concrete with an uncommon method, but it was not easy,” Nagasaka told Dezeen. “The concrete pressure is very heavy, but we found a hard enough textile finally.”

Glass panels create transparent screens around some of the preparation areas, while a wall of glazed black tiles provides a shopfront for displaying signage and hanging products.

We’ve previously featured another Papabubble sweet shop in Japan, where colourful liquids are displayed inside glass decanters.

Other projects by Schemata Architecture Office on Dezeen include a store for skincare brand Aesop, a food-photography studio and an office with a slide hidden behind a mirrored wall. See more stories about Schemata Architecture Office.

Here’s a project description from Schemata Architecture Office:

Papabubble Shop

We designed a shop for Papabubble, a world-famous brand of artistic hand-made candies based in Barcelona. This is their first shop to be opened at major department stores in Japan. It is located on B1F at Tokyo Daimaru Department Store, next to Tokyo Station, and we wanted to take advantage of this great location to promote Papabubble’s exquisite artistry and design skills and show their excellence over other similar brands.

Papabubble offers variety of delicious candies-but they not just enjoyable to taste, but also very delightful for the eyes. Their artistic patterns and colors are so impressive that we often wonder how they make such beautiful candies. So we decided to show customers the entire process of their candy making.

We designed a large counter where they do all works such as melting sugar, making patterns, cutting, wrapping and selling. We enveloped backyard area including structural column and storage, and wrapped around the 900 mm high counter with glass so that customers can look over the entire shop. The counter is made of concrete. Concrete is not always heavy, cold and hard-edged like we usually imagine. We used fabric mold to cast concrete, and expressed softness, plasticity and warmness of the material. By touching and looking at this counter we want customers to recognize the original nature of the material.

In the same way we want customers to fully enjoy the Papabubble magic by visually experiencing their intricate making process- and see how sugar magically turns into such beautiful candies.

Location: B1F, Tokyo Daimaru Department Store, Tokyo, Japan
Opening date: October 5, 2012

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by Schemata Architecture Office appeared first on Dezeen.

Garments and accessories are sparingly displayed in a three-dimensional grid of white steel cubes at this boutique in Osaka by NI&Co. Architects.

Named Bianco Nero, which translates as ‘Black White’, the shop has a monochrome colour scheme to complement the selection of clothing on show.

Some of the metal cubes contain glass shelves for hats and bags, while items of clothing hang from the horizontal elements.

Gaps in the grid create frames for larger items, as well as doorways for shoppers to wander through.

The installation is the only shelving within the space, giving it the look of a temporary shop, but designer Nina Funahashi says that she has created “a sustainable and changeable design that can be used for a long period.”

Photography is by Yuko Tada.

The information below is from the designers:

‘Bianco Nero’ in Japan / Architect : NI&Co. Architects

It is an Italian mode boutique in Osaka, Japan.

‘Bianco Nero’ means ‘white and black’ in Italy, and we were required that the shop design suit the monotone clothes selected. We designed the small space in underground shopping center as widely as possible, and the space still keeps the functionality as a shop. The steel grid shelf in the shop has two functions that are to part the big space as if it were divided into some small ones and to bring a moderate distance between salesclerks and customers.

The layer-like shelf that overlaps several times creates a depth feel and a sense of unity to space, and has an effect that tightens the whole space. In addition, the shelf consists of 6 units and it can respond to various shopping space by changing the combination of units.

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NI&Co. Architects appeared first on Dezeen.