From the architect. The multi-award-winning design succinctly translates the brand’s core values into a spatial experience, intuitively illustrating Birkenstock’s commitment to craftsmanship and quality, to health and sustainability. The warm and contemporary design, with a hip feel and an holistic approach to sustainability, results in enjoyable spaces for both workers and customers.
The scope The run-down heritage building was brought back to its former glory, extended and complemented by a contemporary fitout. The new headquarters consist of wholesale offices, workshop, courtyard, retail space, online store, and a warehouse with newly inserted Mezzanine storey as wholesale showroom.
The Concept The layout allows for spontaneous staff encounters, unifying different departments into one company culture through the design. A new central core connects, with staff amenities as meeting points between the levels. The shopfront becomes a single point of entrance, so all staff experience the ‘front end’, where shoe meets customer.
Architecture follows values Birkenstocks are natural, handcrafted, healthy shoes. This is reflected in the design; from concept to detail, the HQ promotes a healthy lifestyle / workplace. Both natural materials and nature itself form an integral part of the design.
Healthy, Natural, Sustainable Carefully selected greenery is built into the sustainable design, working as ‘air-purifiers’ throughout : Remaining emissions / offgasing from low VOC materials get filtered and cleansed by the planting.
An element of surprise Traditional materials/elements are put into new context : The shopfront uses natural grass for flooring, plants are replacing office screen partitions, plywood forms a complete interior covering all surfaces in some areas, and a ‘homely’ fireplace invites customers to relax at the tea bar within the shop.
Soaring birds in Bay Bulls, enjoy the wildlife of Newfoundland ! 📸: @jackieeaddison thanks !
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Herman Miller has unveiled a new version of its best-selling Aeron chair, which has been fine-tuned to make it more responsive to different body types. Read more
One year after public outcry led the Frick Collection to abandon plans for a 6-story addition by Davis Brody Bond, the museum has announced its newest renovation plans: a major upgrade, enhancement and expansion of the institution’s facilities to be designed by Selldorf Architects.
The expansion plan will address the Collection’s needs to “accommodate the growth of its collections and programs, upgrade its conservation and research facilities, create new galleries, and—for the first time—allow for dedicated spaces and classrooms for the Frick’s educational programs,” while staying within the museum’s existing built footprint. Circulation throughout the Frick will also be redesigned to provide a more natural visitor flow through the building’s exhibition galleries, library and public spaces.
The appointment follows a rigorous 18-month process that considered 20 architects from around the world with experience in restoration and expansion of historic buildings and cultural institutions. Selected by The Frick’s Architectural and Long-Range-Planning Committee, Selldorf Architects stood out for their “creativity, vision, and approach, which respects the institution’s core goal of amplifying opportunities for intimate engagement with great works of art while preserving the domestic scale and aesthetic of the original home and the gardens.”
“Annabelle Selldorf is a visionary who creates elegant designs that seamlessly integrate the historic with the modern,” said Ian Wardropper, Director of The Frick Collection. “The firm understands and appreciates the value of institutional mission and has clearly demonstrated in past projects—such as New York’s Neue Galerie and the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown—how new designs can enrich, rather than overwhelm, already distinguished architectural spaces. Such an approach is essential to our project, which seeks to preserve the peaceful and contemplative experience that the Frick provides to its visitors.”
Selldorf Architects may be uniquely qualified for the project, considering their well-received renovation to the nearby Neue Galerie, which, like the Frick, was also originally designed in 1914 by Carrère and Hastings.
“We are honored to play a part in this critical moment of the Frick’s continued evolution,” said Annabelle Selldorf, Principal and lead designer at Selldorf Architects. “Success for the project will be a visitor experience that feels deeply familiar, authentic, and reassuring for those who know and love the Frick, and a welcoming and enchanting atmosphere for those visiting for the first time. We’re looking forward to working with the Frick to develop a gracious design befitting a great institution.”
The Frick and Selldorf Architects will now work together to develop conceptual designs for the project, with initial plans expected to be released in winter 2017–18.
News via the Frick Collection.
Space Needle – Seattle – Washington – USA (by Phil Price)
Sig Nordal 