Dramatic Alignments: Soap Boutique in New York

Its arch form references the slender portals of the São Bento railway station in Porto; its faceted surface quotes the pyramid-shaped facade texture of the Casa dos Bicos in Lisbon. The structure, which measures less than 2 m in width, works at once as an eye-catcher and as a product display.

Protruding and receding triangles are combined in a barrel vault form of almost 13 m in length. Depending on the incidence of light and the angle of inclination, the reflective pattern occurs in different tones from white to grey. Resembling a kaleidoscope in appearance, the space creates an optical effect that can be experienced, especially in the evening, even out on the street.

The presentation of the bottles and soaps takes place along the two side walls. While the larger products are displayed in rectangular, indirectly illuminated recesses, the classic soap formats find their place quite naturally on the horizontal shelves. They thus become part of a decorative as well as emblematic Gesamtkunstwerk.

Further information:

Project architect: Jeremy Barbour
Pre-fabrication: digifabshop.com
General contractor: TMF Construction
Lighting design: looplightingnyc.com
Cork: amorimcorkcomposites.com