Miami Beach, Fla. – Bonnie Engelstein, owner of the Chroma women's boutique in Miami Beach, Fla., is also the curator of a collection of young avant-garde fashion designers. So Engelstein asked BAMdesign (New York) to render the Chroma space as a gallery that would change with current fashion trends and also exhibit local artists.
Chroma is located on a pedestrian walkway in Miami Beach's Art Center building, so BAMdesign left its storefront, perimeter walls and ceiling undisturbed. The oxblood terrazzo floor was restored to its art deco splendor and two 60-foot painter's canvases were layered over the surface with display niches and mirrors.
A floating ceiling was constructed to scale the vertical height and conceal the mechanical systems and lighting. A back wall that separates public and private functions anchors this plane. Set within the floating ceiling is a perimeter lighting track that suspends the illuminated furniture displays and allows the store to change with the collections or transform for events such as fashion shows and art openings.
The spatial sequence through the public areas of the store is a series of rooms: entrance vestibule; table and chairs seating area; and lounge. The scale of the furniture is intentionally residential, to create a more intimate atmosphere flowing within the product displays and art objects. The result is a modern space that is comfortable for women to frequent and respectful to the area's historic urban vernacular.
Client: Chroma — Bonnie Engelstein, owner
Design Team: BAMdesign, New York — Lisa Monteleone, project manager; Marco Bonelli
General Contractor: RCC Construction, Delray Beach, Fla. — Rick Rhodes, project manager
Architect: William Lane Architects, Miami Beach, Fla. — William Lane, project manager
Lighting Consultant: Muir Reality, New York — Ross Muir, project manager
Outside Design Consultants: Butter Graphics, Houston
Suppliers: Integrity Woodworks, Scott, La. (millwork); Castillio Fine Arts Upholstery, Hollywood, Fla. (furniture upholstery); IFORM, Malmo, Sweden (lounge chairs)
Photography: Ross Muir, New York