Grotto, meeting space
Madrid, 2018
The project for
the watch brand Swatch tries to redefine the classic configuration of a store
that is strictly intended for the sale of products and do a more complex
proposal. “Grotto” is a space where, as well as seeing and buying the classical
watches of the Swiss brand, the focus of its attention is to generate a place
for meetings where we can propose other public activities such as lectures,
workshops, or debates. For that purpose, a single, organic, soft, festive, and
with geological references space is proposed.
In this way, the space generates places where the user can choose how to live them. (S)He can sit at a 40cm height or at a 2m height. Either alone or with other people. (S)He can chill or climb the walls. To this end, we get inspired in spaces such as caves, caverns, or quarries. How the light gets in them, and how they generate appropriable spaces.
Coming to its construction, the project is organized into six domes that are concatenated around a central pillar making space, function, and structure coincident. The top part of these domes allows the access of light through a hidden lighting system behind a floral pattern that, if wished, it can cause the highlighting of the space through its projected shadows. The vertical dome walls are organically deformed so as to absorb a part of the proposed functionality, using openings or holes as seats or improvised tribunes. Finally, the biggest dome is used as the main shopping space. A curtain specially built for the occasion through a catenary system made out of chains and foam pieces wraps the exhibition space for watches and achieves a unique experience of watching and selling in the complex.
In this way, the space generates places where the user can choose how to live them. (S)He can sit at a 40cm height or at a 2m height. Either alone or with other people. (S)He can chill or climb the walls. To this end, we get inspired in spaces such as caves, caverns, or quarries. How the light gets in them, and how they generate appropriable spaces.
Coming to its construction, the project is organized into six domes that are concatenated around a central pillar making space, function, and structure coincident. The top part of these domes allows the access of light through a hidden lighting system behind a floral pattern that, if wished, it can cause the highlighting of the space through its projected shadows. The vertical dome walls are organically deformed so as to absorb a part of the proposed functionality, using openings or holes as seats or improvised tribunes. Finally, the biggest dome is used as the main shopping space. A curtain specially built for the occasion through a catenary system made out of chains and foam pieces wraps the exhibition space for watches and achieves a unique experience of watching and selling in the complex.
Architects:
TAKK, Mireia Luzárraga + Alejandro Muiño
Collaborators:
Andrea Muniain, Jesús Meseguer, Paula Mena, Elena Rocabert, Mateo Olivera
Client:
Swatch
Curators:
Quico Vidal, Ariadna Cantis
Photo:
José Hevia
TAKK, Mireia Luzárraga + Alejandro Muiño
Collaborators:
Andrea Muniain, Jesús Meseguer, Paula Mena, Elena Rocabert, Mateo Olivera
Client:
Swatch
Curators:
Quico Vidal, Ariadna Cantis
Photo:
José Hevia
