DDi - October 2013 - (Page 60)

Photos: © Kevin Wu 60 | Right Light Cupcake couture Using elegant lighting, Les Bébés Cupcakery has visually elevated the cupcake to jewelry status By Vilma Barr T he exponential demand for cupcakes in the United States may have reached its popularity zenith. Cupcake industry watchers now report that the national fascination for the handheld treats seems to be ebbing. But, not so in Taipei, Taiwan, where cupcakes are on the ascent as a bespoke indulgence. Occupying the slot as top retailer of this specialty is Les Bébés Cupcakery, operating from a 600-sq.-ft. space opened last fall. At dusk, the glowing storefront draws customers to the shop on ChaoZhou Street, a primarily residential area. Word of Les Bébés Cupcakery spread quickly throughout the Taipei metro area, home to 6.9 | October 2013 million residents who responded to rave reviews in the press that a purveyor of world-class cupcakes was now in their midst. Designed by J.C. Architecture, a locally based multidisciplinary firm, the inviting interior is sleek and sophisticated. A fully glazed storefront is punctuated with a solid black door. Johnny Chiu, founding partner of J.C. Architecture, designed the store’s exterior outline with a traditional pitched roof. “Our inspiration was the end of a Les Bébés Cupcakery take-away box,” he says. “We wanted to create a theme that was derived from an aspect of the actual product. The familiar shape fits into the scale of the neighborhood and communicates a welcoming image.” Chiu also repeated the peak roof angles throughout the interior for the store’s ceiling. Suspended in the window is a black open-back frame displaying a pair of cupcakes in a transparent pedestal enclosed case. Passersby have a clear view to the all-white, yellow-accented interior. Artfully iced cupcakes in 10 different varieties (in mini and standard sizes) are arranged under a glass showcase like a still-life painting. They stand out in relief against the white surroundings of white laminate flooring, walls and ceiling of white ash with mosaic tile added for the walls, and Ariston white marble countertops. Chui designed the overhead lighting to accent the artistry of the cupcakes in their contemporary, museum-like setting. Above and behind the counter is track lighting with 17 MR-16 spotlights, rated at 6-watt, 3000K. For ambient illumination, Chui specified the same adjustable lamp contained in both circular- and square-shape recessed housings. On the wall facing the counter, a series of display shelves have open backs that reveal small square tiles. Illumination is beamed to reflect off the white walls onto the shelf surfaces. In front of the store is a wall-mounted counter for patrons who wish to enjoy their cupcakes before leaving. Underneath is an LED strip that provides a subtle glow. Along the wall between the counter and the shelf display group, Chui extended an open floor-to-ceiling horizontal shelf system for bottles. Above is a square skylight rimmed with T5, 4-ft. fluorescent tubes, turned on during evening hours. “The store stays open until 8 p.m.,” Chui says. “It’s become a popular cupcake-for-dessert destination in Taipei.” To email this article, visit www.ddionline.com/magazine. www.ddionline.com http://www.ddionline.com/magazine http://www.ddionline.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of DDi - October 2013

DDi - October 2013
Contents
From the Editor
Newsworthy
Shopper Insights
Editor’s Choice
Design Snapshot
Restoration Hardware (RH)
Converse
American Express
State of the Retail Design Industry 2013
Right Light
In-Store Technology
Product Spotlight
Calendar
Advertisers
Classifieds

DDi - October 2013