“White and pure” was the basic concept behind this dynamic space, which evokes an ice cave.
This is the Richard Chai store, designed by the office Snarkitecture together with Richard Chai himself as a temporary installation in October 2010.
The architectural foam elements that create the striking image of the ice cave were made by hand to give the result a more natural look. They form erosions and extensions across the walls and ceiling and take over the entire space.
Lighting also played an important role. The striking white luminaires, combined with the look of the cave, shaped the store’s unique setting.
The layout was designed to host and showcase the Richard Chai collection. Shelves and clothes rails were built into the foam, creating distinctive display areas for the products.
The store belongs to the “HL23 Building Fashion” retail complex and was fitted into the existing structure of the building, located at 504 West 24th Street in New York. When the installation, which was temporary, came to an end, the material was recycled for use as insulation.
Text: Natasa Lianopoulou
