Do you get The Gist? Click here to subscribe
Top 5: Favorite Uses of Wood in Retail
Steve Johnson is a Senior Designer in Design Implementation at Chute Gerdeman. To translate concepts into reality, he creates design intent documentation, graphic artwork, coordinates the bidding, quality control, fabrication and installation of in-store brand communications. Steve is also a woodworking enthusiast and sometimes wishes he had time to deftly build all our client's wood fixtures, himself, by hand, using all dovetail and butterfly joinery. Wood has a powerful appeal that is simultaneously magnificent and modest. It has the exceptional quality of being naturally suited in both vintage and modern contexts, and offers a familiarity of texture that can still surprise. While there are many great examples of unexpected uses of wood in retail and hospitality destinations, with the help of my colleagues—thanks Katie, Nicole and Jay—we have selected a few favorite wood-centric environments worth sharing.
Carlos Campos
Fashion designer, Carlos Campos, opened his first US specialty boutique this Fall in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. The compelling wood structures—which serve a dual-purpose function as window and fixture display—express a rough and ready feel, while at same time, creating a graceful visual rhythm.
Fashion designer, Carlos Campos, opened his first US specialty boutique this Fall in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. The compelling wood structures—which serve a dual-purpose function as window and fixture display—express a rough and ready feel, while at same time, creating a graceful visual rhythm.
Timberland
Timberland's new(ish) prototype in London's fabulous Westfield mall uses wood as a brand statement with authentic cues to real lumber. The storefront geometrically translates the organic form of an actual tree (echoing Timberland's logo) with its branches appearing to support the overall architecture. Always at the forefront of store design, Timberland is expressing this concept in many different footprints across the globe.
Timberland's new(ish) prototype in London's fabulous Westfield mall uses wood as a brand statement with authentic cues to real lumber. The storefront geometrically translates the organic form of an actual tree (echoing Timberland's logo) with its branches appearing to support the overall architecture. Always at the forefront of store design, Timberland is expressing this concept in many different footprints across the globe.
Banq
Banq, a chic, trendy restaurant in Boston (now defunct) received a ton of interior design praise for its anti-gravity use of wood planes in the dining room. "Beautiful, and very cool space in which to see and be seen. Too bad the food wasn't quite so fabulous," declaims Jay, our resident food buff.
Banq, a chic, trendy restaurant in Boston (now defunct) received a ton of interior design praise for its anti-gravity use of wood planes in the dining room. "Beautiful, and very cool space in which to see and be seen. Too bad the food wasn't quite so fabulous," declaims Jay, our resident food buff.
Camper
Camper stores are a great mix of minimal and modern. Often white and sterile, many of their stores now use wood as a modern sculpture that simultaneously performs as both merchandise fixture and seating bench. As part of their brand's material palette, wood matches up with Camper's fashion aesthetic.
Camper stores are a great mix of minimal and modern. Often white and sterile, many of their stores now use wood as a modern sculpture that simultaneously performs as both merchandise fixture and seating bench. As part of their brand's material palette, wood matches up with Camper's fashion aesthetic.
Starbuck's Roy Street Coffee & Tea
More than half the furnishings are reused at Starbuck's Roy Street Coffee & Tea, in Seattle, which is currently registered for LEED® certification. I especially have an appreciation for the upcycled cabinetmaker's workbench which now serves as a condiment station.
More than half the furnishings are reused at Starbuck's Roy Street Coffee & Tea, in Seattle, which is currently registered for LEED® certification. I especially have an appreciation for the upcycled cabinetmaker's workbench which now serves as a condiment station.
In Other News...
It’s been a very busy year for Chute Gerdeman! With new engagements ranging from high fashion to QSR to online retail, we’ve been fortunate to partner with several top-tier brands on new and refreshed customer experiences. Here’s a sneak peek at some of our 2011 retail & restaurant collaborations that have recently opened or expect to unveil in the next month or so. Be on the lookout for more information on these exciting store openings, brand launches and innovative concepts in the new year. For now, enjoy the coming attractions! [More]
Thank goodness for December. As the holidays approach, all guilt disappears and CG's collective sweet tooth emerges. Back by popular demand, we're serving up a second helping of our Holiday Sweet Treat Exchange.
[More]
CG's resident intelligence experts headed to the City by the Bay for this year's 11th annual International Retail Design Conference, where the creative minds of store design, retail strategy and visual merchandising converge. Always on the lookout for common threads and surprising insights, we identified five key takeaways from the conference to consider in the coming year. [More]
Gerdeblog, our very own inspirational design and trend blog, is our online platform for observations and points of view. Authored by the creative minds of Chute Gerdeman, The Gerdeblog features opinions, attitudes and inspirations for all aspects of the retail, restaurant and cultural sectors. Topics include retail trends, consumer insights, points-of-view and new building materials to name a few, plus the occasional sneak peek into the daily lives of Chute Gerdeman team members.
[More]
Several Chuties will be attending major upcoming industry events. Check out our calendar below and let us know if you'll be attending and would like to meet. [More]
The Gist sat down with Gayle Morrison, Director of Business Development, in its continued quest to get inside the creative (and business) minds at Chute Gerdeman. [More]
Several Chute Gerdeman concepts and insights have recently been featured in the press. Read more about C&A Brazil, Bob Evans, and insights from experienced Chuties.
[More]
