The COEF boutique in Utrecht is a retail design project developed by Carbon Studio in collaboration with KUUB for the men’s clothing brand COEF. Located inside a 12th-century castle recognised as a national monument, the project creates a dialogue between historic architecture, contemporary display systems and modular furniture.
The contrast between the raised structure and the historic building defines the intervention
The intervention preserves the existing floors, ceilings and oblique walls, respecting the architectural value of the location. The design choice consists of raising the store above the floor, creating an autonomous and recognisable structure within the historic space.
This solution clearly distinguishes the new intervention from the original architecture. The contrast between the existing building and the new structure becomes the compositional principle of the boutique.
Circles and spheres define the visual language of the boutique
The design concept is based on the recurring use of circles and spheres, visual and functional elements that also recall the original paintwork of the historic arches.
The boutique appears to emerge from the floor through a circular base that organises functions, display areas and customer routes. Rounded shapes soften the atmosphere and introduce a contemporary language within the monumental context.
Marmoleum, metal and modular furniture support a reversible design
The project uses low-impact and easily recyclable materials, including untreated metal, artificial leather and marmoleum panels. The raised structure also facilitates the future dismantling of the store, making the intervention more reversible.
Modular furniture is integrated into the floor together with display systems, the electrical system and structural bases. The marmoleum panel floor creates a black grid carpet that becomes one of the most recognisable elements of the store.
The layout uses the floor to organise routes and display areas
The areas without the grid carpet define the main route and guide customers towards the different display zones. The layout builds a legible sequence of spaces, maintaining a balance between orientation, discovery and product presentation.
The internal distribution integrates display systems, furniture and technical functions without interfering with the perception of the historic building. The project therefore works on the relationship between space, product and customer through an autonomous and controlled structure.
Three spaces create different retail experiences
The boutique is organised into three main spaces. The main area features streetlamp-like elements and four-metre-high furniture in dialogue with the scale of the existing architecture. A five-metre-high display wall with portholes for sneakers indicates the connection to the underground level.
The exhibition hall preserves historic elements such as the cement-paste floor, frescoed wall decorations, a fireplace and the exposed attic structure. At the centre of the space, a black counter with a mirrored surface reflects the ceiling and murals, strengthening the visual relationship with the historic envelope.
The basement introduces a darker and more immersive atmosphere. Vaults, mirrors, glass, black and white tiles create an almost cosmic spatial effect, while the lighting system follows the shape of the arches.
Glass, mirrors and lighting transform the basement into an immersive space
In the basement, raw and ethereal surfaces interact with the streetwear collections on display. The display system uses several layers of glass and mirrors, generating a transparent and kaleidoscopic perception of the space.
The lighting follows the geometry of the arches and reinforces the identity of the underground environment. Light helps guide customers and enhance the reflective surfaces, transforming the lower level into a display area distinct from the other spaces of the boutique.
Location: Utrecht, Netherlands
Design: Carbon Studio in collaboration with KUUB
Project management: Prjct Wrks
Photos courtesy: Marten Willemstein