Contract - August 2009 - (Page 80)

design graphic inspiration Melander Architects creates a retail venue for shoe designer Joy Chen Kolterman that is as bright and fresh as her collections by AnnMarie Marano photography by Matthew Millman From metal mesh to rubber, when it comes to Glory Chen International’s two designer shoe collections—Glory Chen and Joy Chen—the use of materials is far from ordinary. So while designing the brand’s West Coast retail space, Melander Architects in San Francisco decided to splash the creativity that designer Joy Chen Kolterman puts into her shoes all over the walls and floors. “I came from an art background, and Joy in particular was really happy that we presented ourselves as artist architects,” explains Kurt Melander, AIA, principal, Melander Architects. “She was looking for creative solutions, and we had many meetings on how we would present these shoes.” The two-story shop, located in San Francisco on Maiden Lane amongst a number of high-profile neighbors, houses both of Chen’s lines. Joy Chen, the more funky, day-to-day brand was placed upstairs, while Glory Chen, the more classic yet avant-garde collection is located on the ground floor. And they are not just separated by floor, but also by shelving and display. “The wall for Joy Chen, our advanced, contemporary collection, is curved, thus promoting a sense of organic continuity and an impressionist mood. For Glory Chen, I created a clean, linear typography-inspired structure to support the concept-driven architectural character of the collection,” says Glory Chen creative director Joy Chen Kolterman. Shelving structure was not the only thing driven by typography. “Joy showed us her portfolio filled primarily with her graphic design work, and we really responded to it,” says Melander. By taking some of Chen Kolterman’s graphic design pieces, blowing them up, and papering the walls with yet another form of her artwork (starting at the red wall on the first floor, which leads to the staircase, and then up to the second level) the design team resolved one of the challenges they faced in getting customers The exterior (left) makes the store feel as if you are peaking into an inviting living room, rather than a retail space. The main source of color—other than the product—comes from the wall that runs up the staircase onto the second floor and displays a blown-out version of creative director Joy Chen Kolterman’s graphic design work (right). 80 contract august 2009 www.contractmagazine.com http://www.contractmagazine.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Contract - August 2009

Contract - August 2009
Contents
Editorial
Industry
Exhibition: Best of NeoCon® 2009
Up To The Challenge
Pinstripe Pride
Steak in the Grass
Natural Wonder
Showing Off
Graphic Inspiration
Burger Boutique
In Style
Designers Rate: Guest Seating
A Pivotal Shift: Leveraging for Advantage
Ad Index
Source Lists
Perspectives

Contract - August 2009