Interiors
Vila Sofa
Tjep is a multiple-award winning firm that works in an astonishingly wide variety of three-dimensional design, product and furniture design, interior design and interior architecture, all of which is clearly reflected in Vila Sofa. The architects from Amsterdam have used the concept of warehouse as a symbol for speed while designing Vila Sofa, where the furniture is stored as a transition from the creator to the environment of customer’s personal space, where graphics are originated from symbols used in the transportation, where as the other features of the stores symbolizes your home!
With a brief of commissioning a shop for a new furniture product called Vila Sofa, Dutch architects Tjep. created Vila Sofa as a unique environment which stands between a conventional furniture shop and Ikea in terms of furniture range and delivering the chosen product.
Architects concept of creating an environment, as a transition time in between storing of the furniture and delivering the same to the chosen customer was amazingly simple and yet logical. As a design concept, it aims to combine the warehouse aesthetics and home aesthetics in one place, results of which are use of simple materials such as plywood and use of symbols which are used in transportation and packaging. These symbols have been metamorphosed into designer elements, which form the room dividers, which are further used as decorative elements within the space.
In addition to the use of decorative materials, on the ground floor there is an enchanting big white wall which creates an idea of a Magical vila with use of literal graphics such as romantic balconies, playfully arranged openings and chandelier. This magical vila space was created with an intention of giving a personal space environment to the shoppers by giving them a feel at home space along with commonly used materials and interiors. This space also holds big ‘picnic tables’, which are intentionally placed so as to be used by visitors and clients to discuss about the various products with the staff or have family discussions while discussing their choices for furniture.
On the first floor, there are large MDF room dividers which are in the shape of packaging symbols which create intimate display area for the people sitting on the furniture without an obstruction in the view.
The mobile cashing system is as innovative as the theme of the store where the clients can pay from their newly bought furniture. The staff of the store rides around in compact and aesthetically pleasing cash-register trolleys so that customers don’t need to go to them. With its innovative design and billing concept, it offers mid-range prices for buyers and a 48 hour delivery guarantee for all models which are displayed in the store. This 48 hour claim is particularly because of the theme for the Vila Sofa. The Vila Sofa also offers an amalgamation of existing sofa with specially designed sofas by designers Monica Mulder and Khodi Feiz.
With an area of 1400sqm, the unconventional design store has used variety of materials used for finishes – ranges from printed carpet on the floor, pinewood and HPL stage, stickers as graphic on wall to whitewood and glass for sample tables.
Lighting is also an integral part of this pleasant design. Various symbols that have been used across the store have an excellent lighting system. There is a reminiscent of lighting around dressing room mirror as oppose to intimate lighting in living rooms. The lighting of the store is well categorized with the function of the space in accordance with the furniture placed. At some places, panels with floral designs and graphic wall stickers are used to create a homely feel in lieu of the lighting used.
Vila Sofa can be truly marked as an innovative shopping experience, where one can experience the comfort of the product before buying it and can be regarded as true experiential retail.
‘Ultimately we are designing to add a little quality, energy and amazement to the world,’ says architect Tjepkema.
Text Compilation: Text: Rati Singh
Photographs: courtesy the architects
Project: | VilaSofa |
|---|---|
Location: | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
Architect: | Tjep. |
Design team: | Frank Tjepkema, Janneke Hooymans, Leonie Janssen, Tina Stieger, Bertrand Gravier, Camille Cortet |
Project Status: | Completed |
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