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The Freeform Interior Design of a Boutique

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interior space of the boutique with wooden stands and stone flooring
  • boutique interior space with wooden shelves and stone flooring
  • exterior view of a post-modern freeform boutique with floor to ceiling windows
  • main glass façade of the modern boutique
  • interior design of a boutique with black stone flooring and wooden reception desk
  • the unique stair between the ground and first floor of the modern boutique
Once upon a time, in-between giant high-rise residential buildings of glass and architectural concrete, lied a small block worthy of a mighty treasure. The fortunate owner of this block wanted a modern boutique to be constructed in its place, so he contacted us with the intention of ordering the design of a two-story commercial building with a modern design similar to surrounding towers encompassing the block.

After some discussions and sensing the different aspects of the project and its special site, we recommended a different design approach that we thought would work better in this particular situation.

Instead of a dense, horizontal striped architecture consist of concrete and architectural glass, we suggested a completely different design, one that could stand out from the monotonous rhythm of high-rise buildings surrounding it.

This is a fine example of the fact that a designer, team or individual, at any design scale, is not obliged to follow the clients’ ideas blindly and need to interfere with professional ideas when it’s needed. The main point of a comprehensive discussion with clients is to reach a mutual understanding of the project and satisfy the needs and desires and preferences of the client.

The final form was decided to be of a post-modern design: A minimal glass cube with vertical black metal frames forms the exterior volume, in contrast to the concrete mass with a horizontal pattern in the background. The transparent façade connects the inside and outside visually and attracts people’s attention.

The post-modern flavor is placed on the roof edge, with metal arches tying the two stories together. This use of arches reminds us of one of the most renowned Chicago style commercial buildings, Marshall Field Wholesale Store (Chicago, 1885–1887, demolished 1930), Henry Hobson Richardson's "culminating statement of urban commercial form", a simple and unified solid reaching an aesthetic by depending on the relations of 'voids and solids' rather than mere superficial ornamentation, and modern use of Roman arches in a multi-story building, an influential design in the development of modern approaches to building facades.

More than the rhythm of arches, a post-modern element is a concrete, upside-down curve that ruptures the arch rhythm and defines the entrance of the boutique. A circular glass is placed inside the concrete curve to lighten its solid mass, as you see in the architectural renders.

Interior of the boutique is minimally designed, with wooden curves to excite the space and flow energy through the store. The wooden curves are visible from the outside, and their combination with simple yet postmodern cube adds to the attractiveness of the commercial building. White walls and black stone flooring complement the wooden elements.

The second story ceiling is covered with wooden parametric contoured surfaces, which continue on the wall opposite from the glass façade wall and form the wooden shelves of the boutique. Light stone flooring is chosen for covering the floor to function as a calm background for the bold expression of the wooden contours.

About The Project

Architect:
Michael Willison

Rating:
★★★★☆

Date:
2019

Country:
United Kingdom

Assistants:
Maya Jonasson

Project Type:
Commercial

SQ. FT:
2152


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