Valerio Olgiati's Work in Brazilian Marble
Project: CELINE Flagship Store
Client: CELINE
Architect: Valerio Olgiati
Location: Miami Design District, United States
Size: 487 m²
Completion Year: 2018
Materials Used: Marble, in-situ concrete, bronze, chrome steel
Photographs by: Mikael Olsson
In 2018, Swiss architect Valerio Olgiati unveiled a stunning flagship store for the French fashion brand Céline, located in the heart of Miami’s vibrant Design District. Spanning 487 square meters, this architectural intervention explains Olgiati’s ingenuity and Céline’s commitment to luxury and elegance.
Olgiati’s design for the Céline flagship store is nothing short of extraordinary. The entire structure, including façades, floors, walls, and ceilings, is crafted from exquisite Pinta Verde marble sourced from Brazil. This unique stone imparts a serene blue-green hue to the surfaces, creating a calming and luxurious atmosphere that envelops visitors as they step inside.
The ground floor of the store is designed as an exhibition space, conceived as the interior of a canopy. It is an inviting space that draws visitors into the marble-clad wonderland. The use of in-situ concrete, bronze, and chrome steel throughout the store further enhances its luxurious feel, providing a perfect backdrop for Céline’s high-end fashion offerings. Concrete pillars, which connect the building to its foundation, support this marble shell. This design choice creates a space where the virtual and physical worlds coexist in harmony. Olgiati explains, “The virtual world exists in parallel with the physical,” highlighting the store’s ability to blend digital and tangible experiences seamlessly.
Ascending the concrete stairway with metallic railing to the upper level, visitors find themselves in a different realm deep within the marble. This floor houses Céline’s shoes and ready-to-wear collections. Described by Olgiati as “more tent than boutique,” this area is designed to inspire the imagination, offering a space where an internal universe can be envisioned. Floor-to-ceiling curtains delineate the fitting rooms, adding a touch of elegance and privacy to the shopping experience.
The Céline flagship store is a perfect fit for the Miami Design District, an area renowned for its contemporary architecture, upscale interior design stores, and art galleries. Olgiati’s design not only complements the district’s aesthetic but also sets a new standard for luxury retail spaces. The store’s presence reinforces Miami’s status as a hub for cutting-edge design and fashion.
Valerio Olgiati’s creation for Céline is more than just a store; it is an architectural masterpiece that merges form and function, offering visitors a unique and immersive shopping experience. The use of Pinta Verde marble, concrete, and metal elements creates a harmonious blend of natural beauty and modern sophistication, making the Céline flagship store in Miami a highlight in the world of luxury retail architecture.
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