Excerpt: Gentleman Store by ORA and třiarchitekti is a project centered around building refurbishment and its interior design. Třiarchitekti reimagines an existing basement, converting it into a commercial space while preserving the unplastered structure and adding a new concrete floor. ORA’s interior design complements the architecture, enhancing the space without overpowering it. The design aims to showcase quality goods in a balance between emptiness and overcrowding.
Project Description
[Text as submitted by architect] Building Refurbishment – třiarchitekti: třiarchitekti has been working with the investor for an extended period. Initially, the investor had the generous intention of extending the apartment building. However, the decision was made to begin by expanding the commercial space into the basement, along with structural preparations for a potential future extension.
The main part of třiarchitekti’s work therefore remains invisible, hidden under neutral high-quality finishing materials, as intended. They were especially pleased that the commercial space was leased to an enlightened client who commissioned ORA to design the store.
The proposal centered around transforming the original basement into a commercial area. The grand vaulted rooms were left unplastered, allowing the darker surfaces of the brick vaults and stone walls to be complemented by a new light-colored polished concrete floor, separated from the old walls by a distinctive joint. On the ground floor, only minor cosmetic updates were made, with the most significant change being the installation of a new terrazzo staircase connecting the basement to the ground level. Careful attention was given to the placement of the staircase, ensuring it naturally linked to the entrance, striking a balance between economic practicality and minimal structural intervention. The material palette of the spaces is moderated to be as versatile and timeless as possible.
Gentleman Store Interior Design – ORA: ORA was commissioned to design the interior of a boutique located in a recently refurbished space. Given the high-quality refurbishment, there was no need to create an elaborate backdrop or conceal any elements. Instead, ORA embraced the existing architecture, working in harmony with it. Rather than overshadowing the space, the design complements it naturally. The interior design also addresses the challenge of showcasing quality goods. The space strikes a balance—avoiding the emptiness of a gallery, where individual items might be over-fetishized, and steering clear of overcrowding, where products would blend into a single mass. ORA sought a perfect equilibrium between these two extremes.
Craftsmanship: The store focuses on quality predominantly British men’s fashion. The interior therefore avoids ostentation, instead aiming for asceticism. The designed furnishings are simple and transparent, but are perfectly crafted in detail and use only a few high-quality materials. All substitutes are avoided. The interior is designed to be inviting to touch, to feel solid.
Playfulness: ORA wanted the customers to enjoy exploring the interior as much as they enjoyed designing it. The design reveals their attention to detail, focusing on the construction of elements rather than just their immediate visual appeal. The interior encourages further exploration upon a second glance.
Furniture: The interior features sturdy, craftsman-made tables constructed from solid oak planks with natural imperfections, reflecting the craftsmanship and serving as distinctive pieces resting on the floor.
Lightweight hangers, subtle in appearance but capable of holding large quantities of clothing, emphasize the lightness of the design. These practical elements are balanced by rough stones that were uncovered during the building’s renovation and repurposed from the backyard where the landlord had stored them. Folded sheet metal is used to create shelves, following a simple and repetitive motif. Most of the shelves remain open, allowing the products to be displayed freely without the need for concealment.
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