A national award winning project in Mumbai by KNS Architects, the ‘Space within a Space’ showroom redefines unique and bold elements; it matches the German kitchen and furniture brand’s sensibility not only optimally, but with panache.
Spread across 2500 sq. ft. the showroom situated in Mumbai is a domain that houses some of the most exclusive products of Nolte Kitchens, a Germany based kitchen and furniture brand. The showroom, without a doubt, exhibits a bold statement that creates a continuous and cohesive impact on the visitors.
The principal architects of the project, Mr Kanhai Gandhi, Mr. Neemesh Shah and Mr. Shresht Kashyap knew almost immediately that the project called for a more audacious structure. Inspirations from the surrounding urban atmosphere, keeping in mind the modularity of the product, were taken.
Hence, the idea was conceptualised to put forth an exhibition space held in a warehouse, where the showroom would not be a mere display area but a defined space that emulates the products and its design sensibility.
The showroom has been designed with a variety of dedicated areas that accommodate different displays, and cover the entire floor plate. Each area is an entity in itself, highlighting the display of merchandise. In addition the neutral spaces shift the focus entirely on the products which are presented more as art pieces than anything else.
What makes one halt in one’s tracks while walking through the showroom is a vibrant yellow container suspended from the ceiling in the open area. The corrugated metal sheet container, perceived as ceiling hung, sets the tone of the showroom with a dramatic look and daringly breaks the monotony of the space, therefore creating ‘space within a space’.
The voluminous container adds to the industrial – warehouse concept and aptly exhibits Nolte Kitchens with the use of colours like stark yellow and black, thus integrating the brand colours and creating recall value.
As Mr. Shresht Kashyap, one of the principal architects on the project shares, “Our vision was to include Germany in the character of the showroom in a dominant fashion and that is the reason why the design texture is quite mechanical, based on the impression of the country where the brand is based.”
The entire space includes raw – finished materials and industry – inspired forms that fill the portions above the display zones.
The display zones are kept neutral to accentuate the products. The two tone paint on the walls, the overall structure and the expansive ceiling along with the river washed granite floor offer a neutral background to heighten the impressions of the products displayed.
To ensure that the showroom can be modified, exposed open ceiling and moveable partitions allow the indoor configurations to be more flexible, as required for season based furniture arrangements.
Lighting plays a pivotal role in any indoor setting and keeping that in mind, the design team ensured that it should be kept minimal to complement the look of the entire space. This was achieved by using task lights throughout the showroom, to maximise the flexibility angle and to accentuate the product as desired.
The linear cantilevered staircase is another element in the showroom that speaks for itself and adds character to the space. The floating effect of the staircase forms a strong ribbon that fortifies the connection of the floor and the container.
The wall adjoining the dark coloured staircase is a prominent white. It serves as the perfect place to hang several framed photographs that beautifully capture the history of Nolte Kitchens.
The overall interior design of the showroom reflects the brand and its philosophy, it quite clearly mirrors the brand’s core values that manifest the perfect balance between aesthetics and function.
An extraordinary amalgamation of sleek, stylish and modern components, the showroom has won numerous awards including IIID National Award – Retail, IIID Regional Award – Retail and ArchiDesign National Award.
Commenting on the accolades recieved Mr. Shresht Kashyap adds, “We are very thrilled to have received the awards because the entire concept of creating a ‘space within a space’ was quite a bold step. We were challenging the parameters of retail and are surely glad to have received so much appreciation from all the sectors. This will hopefully make way for more unconventional and novel concepts to take form.”
Text By Namrata Joshi
Photographs Courtesy The Architects
Contact
email: neemesh@knsarchitects.com
web: www.knsarchitects.com
