{Not quite a new project, but I remember seeing it before… it just so happened to cross my pa

{Not quite a new project, but I remember seeing it before… it just so happened to cross my path while researching… Escada commissioned the Parisian architecture studio Carbondale of Michigan-born Eric Carlson to design the architectural public face of its head office, including the entry façade, entry court, interior courtyard, lobby and furniture.} The open 600m2 lobby interior is interspersed with 5 boxes like objects extending from floor-to-ceiling varying in size, tone and function. The first “box” is the entry vestibule, lined with a white lacquer paravent, suggestive of folding screens used for changing clothes. The large central “box” contains the reception and the small 2-level box contains the public elevator. Two additional “inverted boxes” are recessed wall alcoves which signal the entries into the showroom and restaurant spaces. Each of these 5 box elements along with 2 central columns are wrapped in an extraordinary and inventive surface composed of vertical blades of polished, linished and brushed stainless steel mounted in an irregular zig-zag pattern. Inspired by the pattern made by dressmaking scissors, this unique triangular facetted profile is also sculpted into the custom wool carpet and leather furniture. Rather than simply applying color to distinguish the different “boxes” CARBONDALE expresses the material by tinted the stainless steel in silver, light-gold, gun metal blue, and bronze. Notorious for burring the limits between architecture and furniture design, CARBONDALE created the seating area in the proportions of a super-stretch limousine wrapped in matt black leather. The 12meter long seating-table element is composed of an enormous floating slab enveloped in angular undulating leather from which three seating areas are carved out and capped in a continuous serpentine backrest. The robust linear of architectural surfaces create an ephemeral composition of textures and reflections that render the Escada headquarters both modern and luxurious conveying the essence of the brand. -- source link

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