Marni Boutique Soho New York : Architecture

Marni Soho, NYC Design: Sybarite Shop location: 159 Mercer Street, Manhattan Marni Soho Photos : Paul Warchol Marni's new flagship boutique in New York's SoHo district has an eclectic style one would expect in this historic district known for its bohemian chic. Expanding into the newly-vacant neighbouring space posed challenges but also allowed for each half of the shop to have a distinct personality while an overall cohesiveness was maintained. Inspired by the 19th century cast iron facades common in the area and echoing the stepped display in the original boutique, one side of the new space is a massive piece of stainless steel that wraps and inclines towards the back of the shop, creating a powerful sense of perspective. With the opposite wall mirrored, the shop becomes a study in reflection. Fibreglass display boxes are scattered along the length of the wall, interspersed with mannequin pieces and culminating in a circular shoe display area. Four large circular Barrisol lights are cut out of the ceiling, creating distinct zones within the shop, out of which stainless steel display trees grow and clustered mannequins float, seemingly suspended in space. Polished stainless steel rails wrap around from the new space into the old, literally tying the two sides together and creating a sense of continuity.