03 November 2008

Universal sparkles in Japan

Precious but easy â€“ Universal Design Studio have taken their talents to Tokyo, designing interiors for clothing brand FranQueenSense.

The new Melbourne office of Universal Design Studio have recently completed the interiors of a FranQueenSense clothing store in Tokyo. The fit-out aims to reinforce the brand’s concept of ‘precious but easy’.

Inspired by the idea of a grand chandelier, Universal used small acrylic disks in a suspended curtain to feature throughout the store. This refracts light from the store and the street outside, making the screen sparkle – creating an almost magical illusion of shapes beyond.

“It animates the store through its subtle movement and the way in which it refracts light,” Mark Simpson from Universal says. “This lends a kinetic and delicate character to the interior.”

With the aim of creating two distinct and interwoven environments within the store, Universal combined elements of the more delicate and ‘precious’ side to the clothing brand, with its simple, more ‘easy’ elements.

Creative use of carpets define the space and materials such as brass, soft carpets, copper and marble add to the precious feeling. With a reduced materials palette and neutral tones, the ‘easy’ part of the store aims to create an intuitive shopping experience.

Universal Design Studio
universaldesignstudio.com