Located in Shanghai, Italian designer Gabriele Colangelo's first flagship store offers an art gallery inspired retail experience. At the center of the design, a ceiling ring delimitates the space and influences the directional movement in which customers experience the collection. Lighting incorporated into the sculptural ring illuminates the lounge-like area and creates an understated pathway below similar to that of a runway show. The ring also provides quality air ventilation and has varying levels of illumination throughout the day. The flexibility of the ring opposes the clear protocol assigned to the rest of the store where there is an accurate position for each element. Mineral panels made by CNC technique line each of the store walls providing wave-like surroundings in both spaces and furthering the gallery like experience. The paneled walls, which mimic the look of curtains, are layered with custom Douglas Fir wood fixtures with brass elements on which limited garments are displayed. Concrete pedestals show small accessories, while suspended mannequins create a mobile like, minimal storefront display. Large mirrors further reflect the performance of the stores and emphasize the collection while masking the fitting rooms, point of sale and back of house. Throughout, muted materials, like the Venetian terrazzo flooring and carpet inlay, were chosen so as not to overpower the collection, yet also be complimentary to its architectural elements. Overall, the project’s design is inspired by Gabriele Colangelo's collections and the way in which the designer uses and works with different fabrics. The conceptual design creates a minimalist, yet intimate experience that offers an open invitation to interact with the refreshing garments. In these stores, the typical retail experience is forgotten, giving way to more of a focus on the artistry and environment of the spaces rather than an influx of product and branding.
Garbriele Colangelo
Montalba Architects
Bronze
Bronze

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Leni Popovici
Founding Director and Partner
at KAP Studios
The inverted catwalk element brings...
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8
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6

Anne-Rachel Schiffmann
Director of Interior Architecture
at Snøhetta
5
7
6
4
5.5

Stefan Weil
CCO
at Atelier Markgraph
The staging in the middle is a nice...
6
6
6
5
5.75

Gudy Herder
Trend Consultant
at Eclectic Trends
6
7
6
5
6

Veronica Givone
Managing Director Hospitality
at IA Interior Architects
7
8
8
6
7.25

Justine Fox
Cofounder | Colour Specialist
at Calzada Fox
6
7
5
4
5.5

Liam Doyle
Principal
at Jump Studios
5
5
5
5
5

Christiaan Fokkema
Partner
at Hollandse Nieuwe
6
6
7
5
6

Ruud Belmans
Creative Director
at WeWantMore
The ceiling structure offers a beau...
5
9
7
5
6.5

Sonia Tomic
Senior Associate, Head of Furniture & Materials
at Universal Design Studio
6
6
6
5
5.75

Omar Abdelghafour
Founder Principal
at Light Space Design
5
5
5
5
5

Tina Norden
Partner
at Conran and Partners
6
7
5
5
5.75

Yifan Wu
Cofounder
at Sò Studio
5
6
5
5
5.25

Mengjie Liu
Cofounder
at Sò Studio
6
6
6
5
5.75

Leni Popovici
Founding Director and Partner
at KAP Studios
Uncomplicated but sophisticated des...
5
8
6
3
5.5

Anne-Rachel Schiffmann
Director of Interior Architecture
at Snøhetta
5
7
6
4
5.5

Stefan Weil
CCO
at Atelier Markgraph
6
6
6
6
6

Gudy Herder
Trend Consultant
at Eclectic Trends
5
6
5
5
5.25

Veronica Givone
Managing Director Hospitality
at IA Interior Architects
6
7
7
5
6.25

Liam Doyle
Principal
at Jump Studios
The store is undoubtedly beautiful....
4
6
5
5
5

Ruud Belmans
Creative Director
at WeWantMore
Still very close to traditional lux...
4
6
6
4
5

Sonia Tomic
Senior Associate, Head of Furniture & Materials
at Universal Design Studio
6
6
6
5
5.75

Omar Abdelghafour
Founder Principal
at Light Space Design
5
5
5
5
5

Justine Fox
Cofounder | Colour Specialist
at Calzada Fox
4
6
5
5
5

Tina Norden
Partner
at Conran and Partners
5
7
5
5
5.5

Yifan Wu
Cofounder
at Sò Studio
5
6
6
5
5.5

Mengjie Liu
Cofounder
at Sò Studio
5
6
6
5
5.5
Designer
Client
Gabriele Colangelo
Floor area
111 ㎡
Completion
2020
Architect, Designer