In his Phaidon-published tome Art Architecture released earlier this year, starchitect Peter Marino explored the relationship between the design of his majestic retail spaces and the site-specific artwork he commissions for each interior. In his new vision for Louis Vuitton’s 11,000 sq ft store in Soho, New York, which opened originally in 1998, Marino has looked to the art-focused heritage of the neighbourhood, envisioning its new interior as a gallery-inspired space.
‘Soho’s identity as an arts district with studios and galleries was central to the development of the store design,’ explains Marino, whose spectacular designs for Louis Vuitton span London, Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai, Paris and Rome. In its New Bond Street maison, conceived by Marino in 2010, the scarf area of the store was imagined as a gallery, with individual scarves framed like works of art. The minimalist interior of the new Soho space features gallery-like track lighting, and high-tech and hand-painted fixtures. Twisted aluminium carbon fiber shelves offset tall pillars, decorated with abstract symbols by the Japanese artist Mukai Shuji.
The store also houses a moulded leather and bronze installation by Giuseppi Penone, which complementes the rugged petrified wood and leather fixtures
The black and white installation took three people one week to paint, with the wall being angled to ensure that the columns are the focal point of the space. Their markings echo both the iconic Louis Vuitton monogram, and its chequered Damier Azur pattern. ‘If you visit the Louis Vuitton museum in Asnières, France, you learn that its monogram came from 19th century Japonism graphics,’ Marino explains.
A moulded leather and bronze installation by the Italian artist Giuseppe Penone hangs in an adjoining room. ‘I saw his show at the Palace of Versailles,’ Marino says. 'I was struck by Penone’s earthy use of leather and wood in such a glamorous and obviously French setting. I found the contrast cool, and the equivalent of carrying a Louis Vuitton handbag while visiting the great French monuments.’
Pieces from Louis Vuitton’s Objets Nomades furniture collection, created by leading designers, are also dotted about the space, which houses women’s and men’s ready-to-wear, leather goods, shoes, accessories, watches, jewellery and fragrance. The bright purple and orange leathers of Raw Edge’s concertina chairs enhance the vibrant hues in the women’s Resort 2017 collection, while the rugged rope detail of the Campana brothers' hanging cocoon chair complements the store’s petrified wood and stone fixtures. These work to integrate the original architecture of the space, like timber flooring and a tin ceiling.
The space features columns decorated in black and white symbols, handpainted by the Japanese artist Mukai Shuji
The Campana brothers’ hanging cocoon chair (left) hangs within the space, designed as part of Vuitton’s Objets Nomades furniture collection
INFORMATION
For more information, visit the Peter Marino website and the Louis Vuitton website
ADDRESS
116 Greene St
New York, NY 10012
-
Santa Monica hotspot The Georgian Room is a rare, well-done steakhouse speakeasyHidden inside The Georgian Hotel in Santa Monica, a restored speakeasy that lovingly nods to its storied past
-
In St Barths, Cheval Blanc is an oceanside oasis soaking in turquoise viewsFollowing its 10th anniversary, Cheval Blanc St-Barth continues to shine as a pearl of the Caribbean
-
We celebrate the emerging London architects to be excited aboutThese emerging London architects are some of the capital's finest ground-breakers, movers and shakers; heralding a new generation of architecture
-
Don’t miss Henri Matisse and Ellsworth Kelly at Fondation Louis VuittonFondation Louis Vuitton present a series of works by Matisse and Kelly, celebrating the influence they had on the trajectory of contemporary art
-
Mark Rothko retrospective to open at Fondation Louis Vuitton in October 2023The major Mark Rothko exhibition will bring 115 works to Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris
-
Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol’s fruitful partnership explored in ParisFondation Louis Vuitton presents ‘Basquiat x Warhol. Painting 4 Hands’, exploring the collaboration between the two artists
-
Katharina Grosse’s shimmering, iridescent installation envelops Espace Louis Vuitton in VeniceGerman artist Katharina Grosse’s theatrical new installation at Espace Louis Vuitton Venezia evokes a fluid, prismatic fabric that shrouds objects and prompts contemplation
-
The changing faces of Cindy ShermanAt Fondation Louis Vuitton, a landmark retrospective looks back on 45 years of identity-probing work by American artist Cindy Sherman
-
Picture this! Jason Lloyd Evans' fashion show archiveThe British photographer shares his favourite backstage images, from the runway shows of Prada, Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga and more
-
Jean-Michel Basquiat meets Egon Schiele in parallel Paris retrospectives -
Material world: Peter Marino reflects on bronze, mythology and timeless design
