The new space at XTRA in Singapore features a special skin that moulds itself to its host.
June 25th, 2012
A superstructure made of 3,651 pieces of plywood winds its way around Herman Miller’s first shop-in-shop in the world.
It’s conceived by Singaporean design studio P.A.C, who drew inspiration from the company’s core products, work chairs, and the way they are designed based on Ergonomic research to produce surfaces that are moulded comfortably to the human body.
Just like how the Herman Miller work chairs adapt to our posture and movements, the plywood skin adapts to the existing structures and customer movement patterns, while its continuous surfaces, which form the facade, walls, ceiling and entrances help direct customers through the store.
The complex, porous structure is made up of simple 3-legged wooden component panels designed with interlocking lap-joints. The panels are then individually pieced together to form a rigid, woven double-layered envelope that modulates light and views.
And because the component-based design process required a greater continuity and simultaneous planning across all stages of the project, the entire process – from design to shaping to fabrication and assembly on site – was controlled parametrically for increased accuracy and precision.
The P.A.C design team were directly involved in the laborious build and had this to say about the experience: “It was good to see and be hands on with the design process from concept to construction. We felt that we had better control of the results by personally building it and had a better understanding of the material; learning from the discrepancies between the design process and planning as well as on-site adjustments.”
See the superstructure being built!
On the displays
There are 3 main feature zones within the 2,000sqft shop-in-shop, including the Heritage/Classics zone, the Ergonomics zone and the Soho zone.
Don’t forget to check out the original vintage Eames chairs from the 1950s. Also arriving soon at the shop-in-shop are products from Geiger, a Herman Miller company, and Mattiazzi, which is distributed by Herman Miller.
Beyond furniture, the plan is for the space to engage visitors via collaborative projects with local and foreign artists and designers.
Herman Miller
hermanmiller.com
XTRA
xtra.com.sg
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
Channelling the enchanting ambience of the Caffè Greco in Rome, Budapest’s historic Gerbeaud, and Grossi Florentino in Melbourne, Ross Didier’s new collection evokes the designer’s affinity for café experience, while delivering refined seating for contemporary hospitality interiors.
Create a configuration to suit your needs with this curved collection.
The Sub-Zero Wolf showrooms in Sydney and Melbourne provide a creative experience unlike any other. Now showcasing all-new product ranges, the showrooms present a unique perspective on the future of kitchens, homes and lifestyles.
Marylou Cafaro’s first trendjournal sparked a powerful, decades-long movement in joinery designs and finishes which eventually saw Australian design develop its independence and characteristic style. Now, polytec offers all-new insights into the future of Australian design.
Calypso hybridizes a Love Seat with a traditional Chaise Longue. It is designed to provide it’s user with cocoon like personal space within the home and to inspire conversation and intimacy between couples. Calypso offers five ergonomically correct relaxed seating positions that radiate around its form – the ultimate in true comfort and luxury. The […]
Design icon Eero Aarnio has created for Serralunga, a refined planter that speaks of an era of design that embraced the bold
Corporate Culture Clearance Sale Corporate Culture have a heap of great products on sale from Carl Hansen Wishbones chairs designed by Hans J Wegner, Series 7 chairs by Arne Jacobsen, CH25 by Hans J Wegner, Oxford chairs designed by Arne Jacobsen for St Catherines Collage at Oxford University, ICF Pac office chairs, meeting and boardroomm […]
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Continuing our new series on the design enthusiasts who work in all sorts of different roles across the industry, we hear from Innerspace’s Creative Collaborator and State Manager NSW.
GBCA and Winya are leading the way for better consultation and cooperation with Australia’s first peoples.