Powerhouse Brisbane's new futuresque retail store

February 7th, 2023

Tags: alexander lotersztain, brisbane, designer, industrial design, interior design, Martin Mogilski, P.S, Powerhouse Brisbane, product design, Retail, retail design, shop

Flexible, functional and strikingly handsome whether open or closed, the Brisbane Powerhouse store P.S. could be by no other than renowned Argentinian/Australian designer Alexander Lotersztain.

Located inside the iconic New Farm building on the shores of the Brisbane river, P.S. takes inspiration from the building’s industrial past as supplier of power to Brisbane’s tram network. As such, Lotersztain has imbued the interior with subtle industrial nuance to deliver a minimal and sophisticated retail store and concierge counter experience.

“I am thrilled to unveil this new retail space, which truly captures the spirit and the future of Powerhouse Brisbane and the city itself,” says Lotersztain.

Predominantly delivered in raw aluminium, Lotersztain has treated the material with the same attention to detail as materials considered superior. To this end the welded edges have been transformed to hero status with the silver sheen of burnish a feature detail.

“Our design approach was to create a unique and memorable experience for visitors, by marrying the industrial past of the building with a minimal, ‘furturesque’ aesthetic; an aesthetic that with time will develop its patina,” he says.

Featured by clean lines and a functional flexible shelfing system that can be easily customised to suit any display, the interior design is as much about statement as practicality. That said, there is a significant wow factor built into the design by the punch orange carpet, velvet curtains and custom lighting fixtures that span the entire ceiling.

Painted in the same bright orange the boxed ceiling and both outer edges work to signal the space while propelling it into the main lobby. As do the custom lights which span outwards from the inside corner to outer edge. Moreover, when closed, the bright orange velvet curtains give the corner a charming presence that hovers in the uncanny space between fun and lux.

Directly opposite the store is the 15-metre custom aluminium concierge counter incorporating Derlot kink handles (created by designer Martin Mogilski for Derlot). Underscored by a soft glowing light that reflects from the floor, the desk is multi-heighted to be fully accessible. Moreover, it is a beautiful sculptural form that speaks to both the Powerhouse building per se and the new P.S. store.