case study: Princi Bakery, Milan

 

Princi Bakery

Milan

design by: Claudio Silvestrin Architects

The kitchen, shop, and exterior are united by one piece of porphyry stone that leads from the baking oven to the exterior of the shop where water trickles out of a slit onto the street.  Inside the shop the stone functions as the counter.  The oven is visible from within the store through a cut out in the wall. 

The floors, columns, and stairs are in the same polished porphyry.

The bread bins and walls are clad in custom oxidized brass as are the walls of the stairwell.

 

fire & water

The kitchen faces the street and is separated from it by a glass window where passersby can watch the bakers at work. The staff and bakers are outfitted in white Armani designed uniforms.

The lighting is recessed into the ceiling and into the wall by the stairwell.

The materials are purposefully limited to brass, stone, fire, water, & wood to leave the focus on bread, the process of the bread making, and the smells of baking.  The materials are basic and elemental as bread itself is yet they are tactile and sensual as is the experience of baking, smelling and eating bread.

images from Daily Icon

information from Interior Design Magazine Volume 76 Number 1 

January 2005

"Open Sandwich"

case study: Lego store, Raleigh

image from Lego website

my sketch of the store front at Crabtree Valley Mall

The storefront is all glass exposing the bright white and yellow interior of the store.

The color palate of the store is primarily limited to these colors.  The display pedestals  and store fixtures are all in glossy white and yellow keeping the overall look clean, organized, bright, and toy-like.  The left portion of the window is dressed with rows of clear cylindrical displays that showcase one lego block each.  The cylinders echo the cylinders on a lego.  The effect is sophisticated yet bright and appealing to children.  Many of the displays and counters within the store are at childrens' eye level and within a child's reach.

The interior of the store features a large rectangular box-like ceiling drop in bright yellow.  Inside the box are white cylindrical drum suspension lights.  This ceiling feature echos the form of a lego block.  Beneath the ceiling box the floor is also bright glossy yellow with a gray pathway around its parameter.  The product is located along this gray path on the walls while the yellow interior space is for interactive play/build stations.  The salespeople wear black shirts and yellow aprons.  

Located in the center of the store, within the yellow floor, are display fixtures, the sales counter, and building stations  with bins of legos that children can use to build with in the store.  These stations also look as though they are made of  large glossy yellow  legos.

The back wall is clad in glossy white plastic segments with clear cylindrical bins that contain bulk lego blocks organised by color.   Here again, the form of the lego has been repeated.  Even the plastic tubs that the bulk legos are sold in have a circular pattern on their sides and can fit together like legos if multiples are purchased.   

 

The store is located near  mall entrance and has one "exterior" wall.  This wall is again clad in bright yellow plastic tiles that look like legos.

The bags are in the same glossy yellow.

This store is very sucessful in taking the look  and feel of the product and extending it in material and form to the entire store.

case study: Beanie & Cecil, Raleigh

Beanie & Cecil

Cameron Village

Raleigh

Storefront:

wooden trim and lots of glass expose the modern globe suspensions lights, large central chandelier, and simple white Saarinen table.

The impression is clean and minimal mixed with ornate and luxurious elements.

The door signage is black, simple, and clean.

The cash wrap is an antique dark wood table.  The storage behind and display to the side are minimal and white.  The packaging and displays are sparse  and museum-like.  A limited color palate is used throughout the store: white and black with pale blue, gold, and pink accents.

The small accessory bags reflect the colors and minimal luxury of the rest of the store.  They are arranged neatly on a shelf and are a display element.

Clothing racks are suspended from the ceiling with chains that are covered in white fabric sleeves similar to what is sometimes used to conceal and dress up chain and wire on chandeliers.  This type of fixturing allows the clothing to be easily seen and it provides a luxurious touch.  The only signage is small cards in pink, black, & white.

The high ceilings and ornate accents that you might find in a fine home add a touch of exclusivity.

The back wall of the store houses a large wooden fixture and antique jewelry case that act as a focal point.

The ceiling appears to be white painted tin with an embossed pattern.

Rich finishes mixed with minimal white walls and fixtures create a feeling of exclusivity and taste while allowing the product to shine.

 

case study: Cupcake Shoppe, Raleigh

pink, brown, gray, and black are used on the exterior and interior of the shop as well as in the signage and packaging.  The window displays repeat these colors.
The logo is used on the packaging and store signage.

The interior has traditional elements and details: molding, antique register, and antique counter, that are painted in pale pink and gray or clad in white on white floral wallpaper.  These details seem to delight in a degree of frillieness and playfulness that is associated with a cupcake.

The frilly elements of the shop are balanced with simple modern chairs, cafe tables, and lighting.

This small shop has succeeded in creating a strong brand identity through use of color, strong logo, and matching packaging.  They have also managed to keep the cupcake playful and frilly while also making it polished and precious.

wallpaper detail

simple black framing and minimal maple wood display pedestals

 The logo is present on the store signage, door, packaging, and business card.  The font is simple and easy to read while having a unique style.  Japanese lettering is in the bottom right corner.  The term shibui is a Japanese term that is used to describe a complex yet understated type of beauty that often involves history or maturity.

The store is organized with clean-lined maple tables running down the center of the space and maple shelving units on either side.  Bars are placed between some of the shelves to create clothing racks.  The clean lines, light colored wood, and low fixtures in the center of the space create a feeling of spaciousness despite the small size of the shop.

Track lighting illuminates the products on the shelves, small white glass pendants direct you to the register area and jewelry case, and larger paper Nelson Bubble lamps create an ambient glow in the space and draw your attention to the tables.  The Bubble lamps are particularly appropriate because they are made of paper and Japanese papers are a specialty of the shop.  The space is well lit without being too bright or glaring.

The materials used in the interior finishing, brick & white walls, maple fixtures, wooden ceiling, and paper lamps,  create a minimal but slightly Japanese feel without being kitschy or overdone.  The brown paper packaging is in keeping with the feel of the shop.

In the back of the shop custom made maple wall racks hold and display a selection of Japanese papers and art is shown on the white walls.

Workshops are held on the tables in this back area.  The tables are counter height in order to be able to be used for both display and workshops.

Paper is also stored in flat files in the back area.

The ceiling has been finished with wooden beams which adds a Japanese touch and gives the store distinct character.  You do not feel like you are in a shopping center when you are in this space. 








I feel like the ceiling is a very important element to transform in shopping center spaces.  Acoustic ceiling tiles have ruined the look of too many stores!

The light neutral floor adds to the sense of space.