The home furnishing retailer’s latest flagship is an immersive experience.
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By Sarah Fasce
For West Elm’s newest flagship on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, designers created the illusion of found space by designing an irregular perimeter wall pattern that shifts back and forth. “The odd-shaped walls and floorplan create these interesting niche spaces,” says Michael Neumann, whose firm collaborated with the retailer and Callison (Seattle) on the design.
For instance, a loft becomes a focal point for a collection of end tables and chairs, where furniture is placed floor-to-ceiling on wooden shelves mounted on a wall of industrial backlit windows. Other alcoves within the 24,000-square-foot, two-story space feature individual products and elevated platforms for complete lifestyle displays.
At the first-floor entryway, a series of shadowboxes flank the escalator and house actual furniture pieces and room sets, as well as seasonal graphics. “When you walk in the front door, you’re immersed in the product,” says Neumann. “It really gives you a feeling for what you’re going to see upstairs.”
Project Participants:
Design
Williams-Sonoma, Store Design Team, San Francisco
Michael Neumann Architecture, New York --Michael Neumann, principal; Talin Rudy, project manager
Callison, Seattle: Eric Lagerberg, principal in charge; Ron Singler, design principal; Sam Wilson, project manager; Elijah Driscol, job captain
Outside Design Consultant
Schwinghammer Lighting, New York (lighting)
General Contractor
Fisher Development; Chicago
Brick
Coronado Stone Products, Fontana, Calif.
Millwork/Fixture Manufacturer
Sajo, Montreal
Flooring
Koetter Woodworking, Borden, Ind.
Lighting
Capitol Light, Hartford, Conn.
Signage/Graphics
Thomas Swan Signs, Richmond, Calif.
Triangle Signs, Baltimore, Md.
Sound
Cyberlogic, San Rafael, Calif.
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