Blondie Store in Savona, designed by Gonzalez Haase AAS, develops a contemporary retail concept inside a historic building dating back to the mid-19th century. The 214 sqm boutique hosts collections by international brands including Prada, Balenciaga, Gucci, Dolce&Gabbana, Burberry, Moncler and Off White, creating a fashion space where historic architecture and contemporary interventions coexist through a minimal and highly perceptive language.
The project responds to the constraints of historical protection without altering the original structure, introducing technical and functional elements detached from the existing architectural body.
Contemporary retail design in a historic building
The store occupies a space originally built as a hospital, characterized by a main room 6.60 metres high. Conservation restrictions led the designers to adopt a non-invasive solution, with all technical elements installed as independent and reversible layers.
This approach preserves the perception of the original architecture, keeping the historic volume legible while introducing a contemporary retail identity.
Mirrored surfaces and spatial perception
The focal point of the project is a large suspended mirrored element that occupies the centre of the room and dominates the space from above. The installation reflects objects, people and movements, continuously modifying the perception of the boutique interior.
Its reflective materiality introduces a dynamic dimension within the layout and amplifies the relationship between architecture, light and displayed products.
Lighting design and enhancement of the original architecture
The lighting design is developed as an autonomous layer installed above the display fixtures. The lighting system emphasizes the original beauty of the historic space and uses the ceiling as a reflective surface to diffuse light throughout the boutique.
Light helps enhance the proportions of the room and creates an essential atmosphere consistent with the minimal language of the project.
A fashion boutique between minimalism and reversibility
The Blondie Store project interprets contemporary fashion retail through a balance between scenographic presence and respect for the existing architecture. Reflective surfaces, reversible systems and integrated lighting define a perceptive space in continuous transformation, while maintaining the focus on the relationship between product, light and architecture.
Project information
Location: Savona, Italy
Design: Gonzalez Haase AAS
Area: 214 sqm
Photos courtesy: DSL Studio di Delfino Sisto Legnani
by AN Shopfitting Magazine no.169 ©