Innovative Interiors

Kazuyo Sejima + Ryue Nishizawa/SANAA's work for Derek Lam.

'Derek Lam's fantasy is to live in an RV. So when it came time for the young fashion designer to realise the first of what he hopes will be many boutiques, he asked Kazuyo Sejima + Ryue Nishizawa/SANAA for an architectural language that would travel well, starting in SoHo. Kazuyo Sejima describes the concept as "respecting the character of a given site while also projecting a unique atmosphere for the brand.

Nishizawa adds, "Right now, we have an interest in free shapes. This project is meant to feel lighter by virtue of its playfulness." Sejima continues, "The customers should feel both intimacy and openness in the store. The clothing is light, and the surroundings should be lighter still." Almost as light, perhaps, as the cloudlike aluminum pavilion that London's Serpentine Gallery commissioned from SANAA for summer 2009.

To achieve that lightness, the open plan is loosely divided into four areas by sweeping, full-height curves of clear acrylic, built from panels trucked cross-country from Las Vegas. The customer, Lam explains, should "feel like she's going through different rooms and discovering what I do." Another effect of the acrylic is to distill the natural and halogen light into an overall milkiness. Sejima points out how the light bounces from one transparent enclosure to the next.

In the largest fitting room, a leggy chair in shiny brass is among the boutique's custom accent pieces. They also include benches with cushions covered in straw-colored velvet, a display table with a chunky mahogany top, and the slim stainless-steel racks and stands. The only non-SANAA designs are two vintage Michael Thonet—style side chairs and a Patricia Urquiola lounge chair with a woven leather seat. But they, too, complement Lam's fall 2009 collection, inspired by Yves Saint Laurent's 1980's Paris apartment as well as the Jeanne Moreau character and Miles Davis sound track of Louis Malle's 1958 film, Ascenseur Pour l'Echafaud. Mixing movie metaphors, a black-and-white portrait of Marlene Dietrich hangs discreetly in the shoe salon, Lam's favorite corner.'

(http://www.interiordesign.net/article/CA6698085.html?industryid=48740)

This is a beatuiful and light open-planned store. Which is exudes a calm and relaxing atmosphere, but it also has a sense of luxury to it. This layout is current but will remain current for years to come with its simplicity. I like the mix of natural and industrial materials.