패치워크 패턴으로 외관을 둘러싼 3층 건물은 멕시코 패션 브랜드인 Massimo Dutti의 부티크이다. "도시적인 퀄리티로 끌어올리자"는 계획하에 최근 몇년 간 리노베이션이 진행되었던 멕시코 도심 구역에 Sordo Madaleno Architects 의 지휘 아래 설계된 이 건물은 기존의 콘크리트와 스틸 건물을 변형시켜 만들었다. 심플한 선과 자재의 순수성, 그리고 시간을 초월하는 공간이 더해져 모두의 이목을 끌 수 있는 건물로 재탄생하였다.
A patchwork of patterned, fibreglass panels wraps the exterior of this three-storey boutique for fashion brand Massimo Dutti, designed by Mexican firm Sordo Madaleno Architects.
Encompassing 15,608 square feet (1,450 square metres), the store is situated along Presidente Masaryk Avenue, one of the most prestigious streets in Mexico City. The thoroughfare has undergone a renovation in recent years "to improve its urban qualities".
The local firm Sordo Madaleno Architects (SMA) was charged with transforming an existing concrete and steel building into a multi-level store for Massimo Dutti, a Spanish clothing retailer known for its classic pieces.
The goal was to create a "veritable work of architecture" that is well-integrated into the surrounding Polanco neighbourhood.
For the exterior, the architects aimed to create a facade that matches "the formal landscape of heights and voids found in the zone’s historical architecture".
The team wrapped the building with a screen composed of light-weight, fibreglass panels coated with a dark grey metallic paint. Their colour and patterning were inspired by the traditional wrought-iron railings found in the district.
The brise-soleil has tall, linear openings that serve several functions. "The screen generates a series of rectangular niches that are randomly repeated within the orthogonal mesh," the team explained.
"Each of these niches becomes a window, a showcase, or a closed element, depending on the internal use."
The screen was fabricated using moulds. "It represents a superb collaboration between traditional local skills and sophisticated technology," the studio said.
A tall strip of glazing forms the store's main entrance. Visitors step into a double-height space, with a central stair connecting all three levels.
"With simple lines and purity of materials, a versatile and timeless space is created that does not interfere with the demands of fashion and ensures the product holds all the attention," the architects said.
The team chose neutral materials that embody a "classical but innovative essence". Pale stone is paired with wood and metal accents throughout the space.
The store is fitted with grey carpets and tufted display benches. A number of original pieces were specifically designed for the project, including tables and hanging racks made of walnut, stone and steel.
from dezeen