OMA / AMO has announced a partnership with Italian apparel brand Stone Island to fashion a new visual identity for its retail spaces. The refreshed in-store aesthetic has been introduced in a new 1,900-square-foot store in Chicago. Forthcoming outposts in Munich, Seoul, and Stockholm will also reflect the upgraded look, which highlights Stone Island’s dynamic legacy and future. “Research and innovation are at the core of Stone Island,” says Samir Bantal, director of AMO, the architecture firm’s research and branding studio. “The space, materiality, and program of the stores underpin the brand’s ethos, and reinforce a sense of belonging of its community of like-minded people.”
Stone Island’s experimental approach to design and product manipulation serve as defining characteristics of the new store. An altar-like area showcasing the brand’s dedication to technology and development further amplifies the theme, while shredded paper and resins are compressed into stone-like panels that line the store akin to concrete. Burnt and sandblasted cork anchors the new materiality, infusing a dark and textured flair while also maintaining its principles to absorb sound and manage humidity. Corrugated steel paneling complements the aesthetic with a sandcoated softness as well. A large digital chandelier suspended from the ceiling acts a key focal point of the sleek interior as it broadcasts branding to all shoppers.
More from HD:
Members Clubs Are Making a Resurgence
Aman New York Commands Attention Amid the Buzzing City
HDTV: Take a Tour of the Farnam Hotel in Omaha