27 Nov The COAT

This project was developed for the Ukrainian brand the COAT by Katya Silchenko. The women’s ready-to-wear brand was founded by Kateryna Silchenko in 2014. The designer draws inspiration from women around, who are strong, passionate, and subtle at the same time.

The design specifications turned out to be quite peculiar since the space was divided into two areas. The first part was functioning as a showroom, designed by another architectural bureau a few years ago. The other one was a studio. This time, Kateryna’s idea was to develop a visual coherence between the two rooms and completely change the interior style. Our goal was to create an exquisite yet minimalistic space filled with air and light. That said, the showroom had to stay open for visitors. We could close it only for a couple of weeks to get the renovation finalised.

The showroom is located on Leonida Pervomayskogo Street, on the first floor of a 1950s brick residential building. Since our commercial object was initially residential, there was not enough light. The space had a low Armstrong ceiling, and the windows and doorways were small.

With the given specifications, we have enlarged the windows and doorways. This solution helped us to raise the ceiling visually and allowed the light to get in. So as not to lower the ceiling, the air conditioning and ventilation systems were placed above the cabinet.

The visual concept of the object is based on rhythmicity and recurrence that unfold through the placement of accent lighting and clothing racks.

Striving to convey the brand’s aesthetics, we aimed to create a new and refreshing experience for the visitors. The marble floor and wall covering set a seamless background for the clothes.

The Lighting

The lighting design deserves special attention. Given the low ceiling, we refrained from using busbars common for showrooms. Instead, we opted for a recessed wall washer lighting with the highest colour rendering index and no trims.

The mirrors were upgraded with the built-in diffuse lighting profiles. This solution provides a flattering yet even light during the fitting, which is essential for sales. The copper-plated lamps are decorative and functional elements, supporting the aesthetic of the showroom.

CURATED BY OZZIE SMALL