16AOUT COMPLEX is a multi-brand boutique
whose theme is melange. The word means mixture in French and the super-stylish
shop boasts a wide selection of rattlers from around the world by a charismatic
director. It is no ordinary shop. It sells not only clothes but also many other
products including furniture, saying "Everything in the shop is an article
for sale except sales clerks."
As for interior design, the floor was
finished with deep black stucco with resin made in Italy poured over it to make
the floor shine like a water surface and the neutral mortar walls were
decorated by Italian tiles which change their glitter depending on the time of
day and the angle and position from which they are seen, from champaign gold to
silver foil. So the whole space is simple yet edgy. Customers can enjoy the way
the walls shine differently from different places as they walk around and look
at the goods on display.
The shop furniture and fixtures were
collected from all over the world. A step into the shop and you will notice the
name of the shop "16AOUT" spelt with very large letters made of
aluminium finished with rivets. This creates an atmosphere that is different
from ordinary classy boutiques. Other fixtures are simple and usually made of
bare steel. The resultant unity is accentuated by plants in a huge flower vase,
a giant chandelier of Venetian glass and pendant lights rhythmically dotting
the space. All these displays are possible only in this place with a high
ceiling.
A VIP room is provided for special customers.
It has a surprising gimmick hidden in the mirror on the entrance door. Although
the interior looks grungy with a sofa made with artificially damaged patchwork
velvet, an artificially damaged curtain, and mortar walls, it was designed to
be a space customers intuitively feels cozy.
In
meetings with the owner, we agreed to make a space that will change itself
drastically with the times. So we intended it to be like a gallery suitable for
a divers range of exhibitions. The result is an evolved form of gallery that is
slightly different from ordinary ones.
by Masaru ito
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