design:retail - March/April 2020 - 40

WINNER'S BOOK
-PROJECT WINNERS-

SERVICE RETAIL

John Barrett Salon

TIE!

PHOTO BY PETER AARON PHOTOGRAPHER

the public about artisan chocolate production, bean sourcing and fair trade and
sustainability practices.
Additional sources: MEP: Murphy, Burr, Curry Structural Engineers; and
Henderson Engineers; General Contractor: Terra Nova Industries.

PHOTO BY RYAN GOBUTY

John Barrett Salon wanted to re-imagine his
salon experience and turned to Ronnette Riley Architect. The new
6,400-sq.-ft. salon is located at the base of a new supertall New York
skyscraper with glazed curtain walls, 15-ft. high ceilings and prime
views of 57th Street.
The salon is laid out as a bustling great room with visual connections maintained from the reception to the coloring area, the styling area and the wash
area. Custom tables, glazed dividers and metal armatures framing tables with
standoff mirrors are complemented with custom bookshelves and displays at
the perimeter, which showcase John Barrett's personal book and art collection,
as well as curated art books, jewelry and beauty products for purchase.
The colorists are arranged by the floor-to-ceiling windows to take advantage
of the abundant natural light while styling stations are scattered throughout.
Hair washing is separated by a glass wall. A private VIP room and manicure/
pedicure room are located off the main salon. A small pantry provides gourmet
fare from Thomas Keller's Bouchon.
Red terrazzo, wide-plank flooring and the ceiling grid provide a flexible field
that allows easy reorganization. The design redefined the retail environment
as a gathering space where patrons can discover, share and enjoy new things.
ELOCATING AFTER 20 YEARS,

SPECIALTY FOOD/CONSUMABLES

Dandelion Chocolate Factory

artisan production and community engagement tell
the story of the new Dandelion Chocolate Factory in San Francisco.
Dandelion found its new home in a long vacant 107-year old industrial warehouse building zoned for production, distribution and
repair. The industrial space is designed to be an entirely immersive,
educational and chocolate-filled experience for guests.
Designed by Gensler, every detail speaks to the experience contained within
the completely redesigned and retrofitted space. Customers are greeted with a
chocolate/espresso bar and retail area with a leather cushioned bench, a custom
redwood counter and large industrial windows that allow natural light to soften and enliven the building interior. A marble entry stone with an inlaid cocoa
pod design gives a clue that something special is happening inside. BLOOM, the
jewel box chocolate salon, centers the space and gives guests an exquisite tasting
experience, surrounded by beveled glass walls, polished brass surfaces, slabs of
redwood millwork and an artful chandelier. Beyond the salon, guests look on
to the light-filled factory space, where the craft of making small-batch chocolate is constantly in motion. With an elevated catwalk terminating into stepped
seating, the factory is designed to encourage guests to experience production in
action and engage in discussion and learning on guided tours. A classroom area
gives guests the chance to learn more about chocolate making and experience
educational tasting first-hand. This supports Dandelion's mission to educate
AND-CRAFTMANSHIP,

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design:retail - March/April 2020

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