The Office Area:
Daylight enters the space from a single direction where one brick wall was remade entirely in glass, allowing a graceful light to penetrate the entire space unobstructed. Fashionable design elements have been removed, allowing the sparse brick walls to act as minimal shelving and dictate how all other elements are incorporated. Above the three workstations, seating 18 people in all, black iron is affixed to the ceiling to create a storage system which doubles as a light fixture, bridging the gap between the limitations of the space and the needs of employees. This also effects the simple charm of a loft-style workspace while conveying a warm humanitarian air. A conference table which seats 20 resides in front of floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing the rhythmic ebb and flow of sunlight to integrate with the discussions held there. In this space, the creativity and interests of PPAPER are naturally transmitted.
The Retail Shop:
The original courtyard staircase was used to solve the problem of insufficient lighting in the basement. An unfinished concrete floor extending out beyond frameless floor-to-ceiling glass windows, and a room purposely devoid of bright colors, create the ideal low-key backdrop for the design merchandise on display – only the bright magenta letters of the logo break the monochrome expression of the space. The undulating wave imagery of the floor extends into the display area, becoming the main theme of the space. Mirrored black iron light troughs create a sense of linear progression, cancelling out any feeling of oppression once created by low-hanging ceiling beams. The crisscross patterns created by light and shadow lend the space an even greater sense of fashion and culture.