A men's footwear store in Seattle by local firm Best Practice Architecture features exposed concrete and hexagonal lamps suspended from a high ceiling (+ slideshow).
Designed for Likelihood – a retailer specialising in men's fashion footwear – the store is located within a newly constructed building in Capitol Hill, a dense urban district near downtown Seattle.
Encompassing 1,200 square feet (110 square metres), the shop occupies a busy corner that receives ample natural light.
The firm set out to create a relaxed but refined atmosphere that puts the focus on its selection of high-end sneakers and a small selection of watches, bags and clothing.
"Likelihood aspires to elevate the level of footwear and fashion for the discerning Seattle gentleman," said Best Practice Architecture.
"Believing that the shoe shopping experience should feel fun, leisurely and exciting, the design elements are fairly restrained and seek to highlight the product."
The austere, rectilinear space is defined by bright white walls and concrete columns and flooring.
The architects designed and fabricated hexagonal light fixtures that are suspended from the 17-foot-high (five metre) ceiling. Made of powder-coated steel with fluorescent tubes, the chandeliers "add presence and pattern in the tall space," said the firm.
Abundant natural light, which enters through large windows on the west and north walls, further illuminates the boutique.
Mirrors lining one side of the store visually expand the room while also reflecting white neon art on an opposing wall. Created by Canadian artist Kelly Mar, the piece is composed of words that read: "I Called Shotgun Infinity When I was Twelve."
"We loved the irreverence of the piece and that it both disarms the viewer and inspires thoughts of childhood," said the architects. "It was imperative to provide a gallery-like wall that was visible from the exterior, but also to allow it to integrate seamlessly into the product display."
The back portion of the shop features a wall sheathed in a cedar screen, hiding a storage area, as well as a wooden sales counter. A curated collection of shoes is displayed on stepped shelves that resemble stadium-style seating.
"A ziggurat-style shoe display anchors the shop to the south, while the wood screen divides the main space from the back of house and storage mezzanine," said the firm.
Founded in 2011 by Ian Butcher, Best Practice Architecture works on a variety of projects, from residences to large-scale office projects.
Other recent footwear boutiques include a pop-up shop for Spanish footwear company Camper at the Vitra campus in Germany by Burkina Faso architect Diébédo Francis Kere and a Camper store in Milan by Japan's Kengo Kuma.
Photography is by Mark Woods.
