• Romanticism store: organic architecture (Hangzhou, China)

    Par Vaness dans ARCHITECTURE & SCENOGRAPHY le 18 Août 2009 à 08:00
    Romanticism store: organic architecture (Hangzhou, China)Romanticism store: organic architecture (Hangzhou, China)Romanticism store: organic architecture (Hangzhou, China)Romanticism store: organic architecture (Hangzhou, China)Romanticism store: organic architecture (Hangzhou, China)Romanticism store: organic architecture (Hangzhou, China)Romanticism store: organic architecture (Hangzhou, China)Romanticism store: organic architecture (Hangzhou, China)

    This is an interesting commercial architecture where a single concept has been extended to its limits.

    For the Chinese woman clothing brand Romanticism (500 stores throughout China), the brief for a new concept for their stores in Hangzhou was simple: "Imagine a design that no one could copy".

    I'm obliged to begin with this thought: simplistic would I say...As a former Project Manager in a design agency, such a brief gives me goosebumps!! What kind of a client brief can that be?? Well, being innovative is great a brand value, but after that? Can't be sufficient. The answer of the SAKO architects was the following: "As there were no requirements, I questioned the concept of the boutique, the clothes and the relationship between body and space. In the end I designed an organic net winding through the space." Such a brief has led to a theoritical concept of retail architecture. I'm then wondering: is this concept a well-in-line expression of the brand where the consumer can feel its personality? Can a brand afford to make such a retail act for free?

    However, if we consider the architecture in itself, I must say it's interesting. The founding idea about considering space like a skin has led to something unusual like a sole white line creating a whole network by its movements. So harmonious and relaxing, every element of the store being linked to this network. For more information, click here.

    Source: http://www.contemporist.com

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  • Onepoto bridge: landscape poetry (Auckland, New-Zealand)

    Par Vaness dans ARCHITECTURE & SCENOGRAPHY le 31 Juillet 2009 à 01:29
    Onepoto bridge: landscape poetry (Auckland, New-Zealand)Onepoto bridge: landscape poetry (Auckland, New-Zealand)Onepoto bridge: landscape poetry (Auckland, New-Zealand)

    A good example of how urban landscape can be a real delight for the eyes.

    Designed by the Beca architects and completed in 2008, this footbridge located in Onepoto Basin, north of Auckland, is dedicated to pedestrian and bikers. The bridge is not far from a highway: idea was to make of this bridge a pleasant and protected pathway for inhabitants and attract people to use it as it's part of the global bike network of the city.

    With a shape of a breaking wave and use of natural material, this bridge seems to be completely integrated to the surrounding nature. Beautiful public architecture!

    Source: Indesign Magazine, issue 37.2009

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  • Invik Bank: icy design! (Luxembourg, Luxembourg)

    Par Vaness dans ARCHITECTURE & SCENOGRAPHY le 28 Juillet 2009 à 09:23
            

    Here's an interesting example of commercial architecture for a bank in our times of financial crisis and lost of confidence in the world financial system. 

    In October 2008, the Scandinavian Invik Bank unveiled its new headquarter in Luxembourg. Interesting thing is the new contemporary building is a renovation of a former key monument of the city life called the "Pôle Nord" (North Pole). The name has been kept for Invik headquarter and has led to developping a related architectural vocabulary. The result: a white, airy, transparent and straight-to-the point building.

    At first sight, such an interpretation of the past name of that location might have been a bit anecdotal, if you were expecting an architecture linked to the personality of the Invik brand. Though, when looking closer, this architectural language appears completely adapted to the goal of a financial organisation trying to reassure clients in these troubled times. Furthermore, keeping the former name of the building turns to be a real good idea for a bank to reassure in a shaking environment. Indeed, in the past, the former Pôle Nord building was a key reliable standard, aiming at showing the North direction to the Luxembourg citizens. Which best metaphor could have been chosen?

    Above the branding issues, let's notice the wonderful work of the architects, +dagli, on the façade that looks like breaking-out ice blocks.  

    Source: www.e-architect.co.uk

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  • La Maison de la Vache Qui Rit is now opened!

    Par Vaness dans ARCHITECTURE & SCENOGRAPHY le 17 Juillet 2009 à 06:55
    La Maison de la Vache Qui Rit is now opened!La Maison de la Vache Qui Rit is now opened!La Maison de la Vache Qui Rit is now opened!

    La Maison de la Vache Qui Rit is now opened!La Maison de la Vache Qui Rit is now opened!

    Here they are, La Vache Qui Rit has its own museum!

    This French cheese brand is a monument in French brand and advertising history! With almost 90 years of existence, everyone has a heart link to this brand, from the grand parent to the grand child! It was more than a logical step to capitalize on it and finally build a dedicated house!

    Opened late May 2009 in the Jura mountains, on the historical first plant of the brand surrounded by nature, the 1500 m2 House is at the crossing of past and future. On the one hand, the museum is the place to tell the story of the brand and of the Bel family, still holding the company. On the other hand, the interactive environment-friendly house shows the brand takes into account new trends and opportunities to stay uptodate and keep its strong link with its audience. From the interior architecture to the printings, the House manages to stay consistent with its personality, a friendly smiling family brand! The only less smiling point to me: the Maison de La Vache Qui Rit website  which design, dynamism and interactivity are unfortunately not in line with the ones of the House. Thus not consistent with the positioning the brand targets.

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