BRUTAL GRACE

This was the last assignment before we decided on our specialization. It differs from the other assignments in that it is not a residential house, but a shop design and not just any shop.

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The assignment consisted of choosing a craft (choice of jeweler, leather goods, tailor, perfumery, ceramic workshop and butcher), designing a shop for it and an additional workshop. We could also choose from three different buildings. I wanted a unique subject and design, so I chose tailoring as a craft.  Tailoring eccentric haute couture hats. Specifically the designer Philip Treacy. His hats are a true source of inspiration. He made hats for the royal families, pop stars and so on.

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My choice of the property was guided by the possibilities it could offer and my feeling about it. In terms of presentation, I opted for a contrasting placement of the hats by placing them wildly in space as 'floating objects' on top of heavy natural stones. The combination of graceful and brutal, created a unique spatial experience. A workshop was provided at the rear of the building. A patio split sales and workshop in two. The glass walls ensured that there was still contact and that the customers could see a glimpse of the production. Above, a floating mezzanine was provided, as it were, where the private area is.

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The title is "brutal grace" to emphasize the contrast.