Client: Mrs Archana Gupta Project Details: Vadodara, 2016 Built up Area: 1,100 Sft Programme: Retail Fashion Store Status: Completed
Often it seems that designing a space for another designer, of any sort is exciting and at the same time, a little difficult. This is exactly what happened when one of the eminent fashion designers, Mrs Archana Gupta approached us to design the store cum boutique for her apparel brand in the city, whichwas previously operated from her own house. We took inspiration from her style that is simple ‘contemporary, chic and colourful’ to be reflected in the boutique space.
The site having a beautiful courtyard forming the entrance, we created sit outs and landscapes to intervene with the body store.Interesting fact about the site was that it was a house that was to be structured more to be like a retail store. This led us to create bays and arrange the different zones. The complete area was created with two successive linear bays running parallel that connected effortlessly in the spatial flow. The bay facing the courtyard with a glass façade allows the space have an expanded view and houses the western and traditional clothing. However, the rear bay makes up the designer’s cabin and a small workshop for her tailors. On the whole, the layout and material palette started shaping on the concepts of free flow, as seen in her apparels and yet unique owing to the charismatic colour scheme.
To have it appear light and natural, we used lighter tones on the wooden floors and walls in pastels eventually making the space look larger and forming most appropriate background for contrasting and colourful outfits.The ceilings let the existing slab and beams with textured finishes have add-on metal structure hung from the top to fit in tracks for track lights and eventually continuing on the walls for hanging clothes. This monolithic metal structure looks more like a mural design for the overall space. Fashioned are some hanging lights housed in bird cages mirrors Archana’s love for them as often seen in her designs.Other details like the quotes on the passageway and a mix of pink-grey texture on the walls makes this store look stimulating.
The outdoor is kept down to earth by using river finish kota on the floor and beautiful pink Bougainville to create a homely yet energetic welcome with the bird cage lights adding life to the space. The entire exterior is a harmonious piece complemented by the signage and logo designed on a lacquered pink base by graphic designers, Stroke & Arrow.
