Aarstiderne Arkitekter transforms 19th-century financial institution into Paustian showroom
Ornate gold columns and chequered marble flooring nod to the previous lifetime of Danish furnishings model Paustian’s newest showroom, which has opened in central Copenhagen.
The Paustian showroom takes over a now-defunct financial institution that dates again to 1868. It has been designed by Danish structure follow Aarstiderne Arkitekter to have a good time its decadent historic options.
Positioned in Strøget, a pedestrianised purchasing space on the coronary heart of Copenhagen, the shop comes as a part of the model’s transfer to be extra accessible.
It joins three different showrooms dotted throughout Denmark: one in Østbanen, which occupies an previous practice station, one other in Aarhus which is situated inside an 18th-century mansion, and the flagship in Nordhavn, which is ready inside a constructing designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon.
“With Paustian Strøget we wished to create an inspiring design universe nearer to the shopper,” defined Frantz Longhi, CEO of Paustian.
“The shop within the 1987 Utzon constructing in Nordhavn is a design vacation spot and vacationer attraction due to the structure and the curated mixture of iconic design and furnishings we present there, however it’s a bit exterior of the centre of Copenhagen,” he instructed Dezeen.
The brand new central department options an expansive floor flooring punctuated by the financial institution’s authentic gold pillars, which rise as much as a mottled, vaulted ceiling. Veiny marble structural pillars, mahogany wall panelling and the distinctive chequerboard flooring have additionally been preserved all through.
Menu and Norm Architects full Copenhagen resort that doubles as a showroom
Maintaining main interventions to a minimal, the follow has inserted giant panels of glazing within the retailer’s entrance facade to flood the house with pure gentle and permit passersby on the road to glimpse inside.
“All through the complete course of, our purpose has been to protect the unique structure, whereas nonetheless revitalizing the constructing with new features,” mentioned the follow.
“The primary architectural thrust has been to open the property in direction of the town.”
One half of the bottom flooring boasts residing or eating room-style setups that showcase Paustian’s furnishings.
The opposite half has a retail house that the model hopes will “deal with prospects which are fascinated with design on a broader scale”.
It provides a mixture of residence equipment like ceramic pots and coffee-table books and vogue items like baggage and jewelry sourced from a mixture of rising and established designers. All are displayed on tall shelving models or pale pink plinths, a shade that Paustian regards as considered one of its signature colors.
Sure items like armchairs or pendant lamps are showcased contained in the financial institution’s previous vaults, that are nonetheless tucked away behind heavy steel doorways.
Photograph courtesy of Dezeen
A black wire-frame staircase leads all the way down to the basement, the place the model is presently displaying its lighting assortment. Merchandise are positioned amongst the financial institution’s previous security deposit packing containers, previously used to carry shoppers’ priceless possessions like property deeds or gems.
Bigger lighting items are offered at this degree inside different disused vaults, which prospects entry through winding units of slender stairs.
Paustian was based in 1964 by Ole Paustian, who first arrange a small retailer in Copenhagen’s Vesterbro district.
It joins a handful of different Danish manufacturers which have created new areas to showcase their merchandise – Menu just lately collaborated with Norm Architects to create The Audo, a comfortable resort that doubles up as an enormous showroom for the model’s furnishings and homeware.