As a place combining both spaces for meetings, idea – exchanging, education and workshops – Fashion House is a building with characteristic typology; as a globally – recognizable object on the map of every metropolis.
Considering the location of the plot concerned (Warsaw, historical city center), the building aesthetics shall represent dignifying nature. Firstly – from aesthetic point of view – by fitting into the historical surroundings. Secondly – by taking into account the need of recognition – marking its presence by the façade articulation.
Moreover, interior spaces shall contribute to its user stimulation, recognition, visibility and induction of a sense of intrigue; consequently encouraging the user to explore the building volume further. Its dynamics and liquidity should remind the variability of new trends in each of the subsequent fashion collection.
Each of the outer building elevations is intended to work as a double – skin façade. The inner layer performs as a curtain wall, whereas the outer layer was designed with the parametric design tools, generated as three – dimensional panels with the rhomboid plan, mimicking spatially the structure of a
diamond.
From aesthetical point of view, the three – dimensional panels are supposed to both reflect and distort the image of the surrounding, historical surrounding buildings. While the formal character of building’s southern part remains entirely constant, the composition of the panels located both on the northern and eastern elevations are co-creating the aforementioned corner generated parametrically.
The “openings” visible in the rhythm of the façade follow the standard “gradient” pattern, intentionally underlining the area of the exhibition space, located above the building corner.
Building of this type shall contain both connected and interpenetrating spaces – meeting the criteria of designing, exhibiting as well as selling fashion. All of above requires selection of an appropriate functional program and properly calculated proportions.
The intention of a space functioning as a background for the exhibitions is obliged to host high density of people spontaneously. Despite such an unpredictable factor, the way of perceiving the interior space of a fashion house shall be intact.
Recognition, user – stimulation, induction of sensual experience – these are the qualities to encourage the potential visitor to explore the building volume further. Its dynamics, as well as its fluency, should remind the variability of new trends in each upcoming fashion collection. Source by Aleksander Andrzej Łapiński.
- Location: Warsaw, Poland
- Architect: Aleksander Andrzej Łapiński
- Adviser: Sławomir Kowal
- Gross Building Area: 180 000 m2
- Year: 2016
- Images: Courtesy of Aleksander Andrzej Łapiński
