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Architects: Solid Architecture
- Area: 1000 m²
- Year: 2010
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Photographs:Günter Kresser
Text description provided by the architects. The flagship store covers the whole ground floor with a total area of about 1,000 m2 in the newly erected building Neutorgasse 4–8 in Vienna’s first district. The area of the showroom is extending, strip-like, alongside the exterior façade. The first upper floor and parts of the second upper floor are used as office area by Bene
SOLID architecture was commissioned to develop the design of the showroom on the ground floor as well as of the vertically extending space. The visitor is to be met by a lively and varied path leading through the world Bene, and, simultaneously, the visitor is to be welcomed by a site with its own individual identity and unique character and features
Design of the Showroom
Wall, floor and ceiling, i.e. the areas determining and dominating the room, are each made of a single material. In order to accommodate the various spatial functions as well as performances of the showroom, these design elements may be modulated accordingly.
Wall Cladding – the “Backbone”
The entire back wall of the showroom is cladded with panels that are covered by textile fabrics, thus forming its spatial backbone. The panels are of a modular configuration, which makes it possible to substitute one for the other. The backbone comprises the room, in this way limiting the room. In the area that is also used for events, the panels are covered in addition by a sound-absorbing acoustic inlay.
The basic colour of the backbone is a dark and warm brown, combined with pale grey and white panels. Individual coloured panels create additional highlights. By means of these panels, the backbone may be adapted in colour to the alternating scenes created in the showroom.
Ceiling and Ceiling Panels
The ceiling of the showroom is an acoustic cover made of expanded glass granules. This ceiling assumes the direction extending through the entire floor plan by using linear lamps that are arranged in parallel to the Neutorgasse and by means of technical features. All these features are integrated in the ceiling in a flush-mounted way.
The ceiling panels will adapt to the various spatial as well as functional requirements. For example, above the entrance area, short slotlights are formed into a “cloud”, thus highlighting this area. In the event area, on the other side, the technical features are arranged so that they may be used for varied and diverse purposes and applications.
Floor Cover – Terrazzo
The entire showroom, including the adjoining rooms, is covered by pale terrazzo flooring, which forms a continuous floor area, where individual functions and scenes may be highlighted using carpets.
