Jury comment
Finesse Shoe Store displays a clever and inventive approach to retail and an integrated sustainability approach that made it stand out from the other entries. Its fully removable prefabricated components can be demounted with minimal intervention to the existing building fabric and re-assembled elsewhere, which highlights the possibility for the life of a retail offering to exist beyond its original footprint.
The project’s core sustainability agenda is clearly demonstrated throughout, and the designers’ strong consideration of their design’s environmental impact is well resolved. Jury members commended this truly sustainable outcome and also applauded the project’s exemplary detailing and sense of artisanship. It has a restrained, minimalist approach to materiality yet doesn’t lack personality and, in walking a fine line between installation and retail design, presents an incredibly interesting proposition. The judges agreed it is a simple project beautifully realized that also manages to convey a sense of “urbanness” relevant to the nature of selling sneakers.
Design statement
Located within a corner brick terrace in central Collingwood, the newly re-located sneaker store Finesse is designed to provide an intimate setting for rare and limited-edition shoes.
The existing walls and ceiling are washed in neutral blush tones with a series of steel vertical acrow props (scaffolds) providing support for display shelving and clothing rails. Each shelving unit is fabricated from a single folded aluminium sheet and bolted in place to the scaffold supports. This allows for the display and interior space to be fully adjustable, negating any fixings made to the existing space as well as being easily removable at the end of the tenancy.
The primary display is angled to respond to the existing street front window, inviting passersby to stop and look – its angular form creating space for the changing room within the tiny volume.
Built on the land of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation
Design practice — Studio Edwards
Project team — Ben Edwards, Nancy Beka
The Award for Workplace Design supported by Laminex. The Australian Interior Design Awards are presented by the Design Institute of Australia and Artichoke magazine. For more images of this project, see the Australian Interior Design Awards gallery.
