New Two-Level Store to Feature Unique Raw Architecture Design
On May 21st, 2024, Balenciaga will inaugurate its first standalone store in Chicago, Illinois. The two-level, 641-square-meter space will showcase the latest collections in Balenciaga men’s and women’s ready-to-wear, shoes, bags, accessories, eyewear, and jewelry.
The store’s design evolves the brand’s Raw Architecture concept, aiming to challenge the idea of authenticity with untreated surfaces and striking details such as rough edges and freestanding partitions. This approach respects existing structural elements, exposing their histories and reducing the use of new materials.
The store features brushed concrete floors reminiscent of sidewalk tiles and walls made of concrete or cement board panels, creating an indoor/outdoor illusion. A large luminous ceiling illuminates key areas like the shoe section, staircase, and fitting rooms, while other spaces are accented with suspended ceiling mesh, industrial lighting, and technical fixtures. Hot rolled metal tables, angel hair-finish metal shelving, and hanging pipe racks contribute to a warehouse or studio atmosphere. Seating is upholstered in recycled leather, with underlit shelving, smoked glass panes, inlaid carpet, and high-definition screens adding warmth and modernity to the interior.
