RETAIL: The Architecture of emptiness, a kind of new Luxury

"In the context of the retail overbid, emptiness is the ultimate form of luxury." - Oma Studio

RETAIL : 

The Architecture of empty space, a kind of new Luxury

This article could be summed up in one sentence, a quote, for example the one cited above by Oma architecture Studio, whose work for the new flagship of Repossi, has been very noticed this summer. A few months ago, emerged a movement akin to the "Less is more" about architecture and interior architecture of the high-end luxury category. High density of creative materials and exceptional space management, back on this style which is currently spreading like a trend.

1. THE RADICAL MINIMAL 

Flagship Repossi, Paris - Oma Studio

By radical I mean global, whole. Here is the new emerging style. As Studio Oma said, in a context of crisis and distorted between classes, the hour has come to the radical change. Is luxury taking humility, moving up to the summit, making its new minimalist aesthetic, the height of luxury ? 

Because it's time to see that the retail architecture is simpler but perhaps more sophisticated. The flagship of Repossi which opened its doors Place Vendôme this summer, is the perfect representative. We are dealing here with a simplified luxury, made of lines, blocks and shapes. We notice the perfect combination of porous and shiny, heavy and transparent. This staircase ( photo above ) is the perfect example of this architecture where everything is in contrast. 

From the front desk to the point of sale, through the corridors, space is sufficient in itself. You would like to stand in line for an hour just to see the place, no offense to the Repossi collection, that we also love.

Flagship Repossi, Paris - Oma Studio

But Oma and Repossi aren't the only ones to experiment this kind of luxury. We also observed such an architecture during the opening of the new showroom Normann Copenhagen. Designed by Hans Hornemann ( who also designed the Ace collection ) in collaboration with the Brand Manager Britt Bonnesen, this new major place of Nordic design, perfectly joins the thread to a minimal and radical architecture. 

Normann Copenhagen - Hans Hornemann showroom

2. HIGH-TECH MATERIALS

Installation of KGDVS, at the biennial in Kortrijk

We also saw this architecture of the void at the Kortrijk furniture Fair ( photo above ), where the Studio KGDVS has created an installation like this. The creations of designers Muller Van Severen were presented there. The materials here are very important. They balance each other, the granites, marbles and other concretes are softened by the presence of glass, sandblasted glass, polycarbonates and others. 

Aluminium, chrome and other brasses play mirrors, when they are not there. The space is constantly increased tenfold and has an infinite perspective. All the mirrors of flagship Repossi have been designed by Sabine Marcelis, whose excellence in terms of reflections is no longer to prove.

Flagship Repossi, Paris - Oma Studio

But these luxury materials are paradoxical. They represent both our architecture of the void, in the sense that they do everything and are whole architecture, and on the other hand, they frame this emptiness, this absence, this need of epure that the brands are looking for to highlight their clothing, jewelry, watches collections and other luxury items. 

Flagship Repossi, Paris - Oma Studio

3. FIND OUT ARCHITECTURE AGAIN

Flagship Repossi, Paris - Oma Studio

This configuration is the opposite of spaces where products are the architecture themselves ( for example, Aesop ), that works pretty well. Here, the visitor is in a 100% architectural space, where as I said above, we are even tend to forget the item sold, as the architecture is so present, containing, total. 

See how the product is discreet, and at the same time, it is precisely because of this simplicity and modesty in the face of the environment that surrounds it, that the product is more luxurious, distinct and prestigious.

Flagship Repossi, Paris - Oma Studio

 At the Kortrijk furniture Fair, which ended yesterday, we could also observe and experience a live installation of the Dessuant Bonestudio. This installation highlights the Allaert Aluminium materials and basic shapes like a succession of openings and geometries that are a real tribute to architecture. 

Here is the magic of this architecture of emptiness, that gives to space its fame, and to luxury, a new prestence.

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T H A N K S

Sources: Nelly Rodi, Designboom, Oma Studio, Normann Copenhagen