arquitectura-G curates an archeological atmosphere with its acne studios stockholm interior

barcelona-based studio arquitectura-G revitalizes a former stockholm bank, transforming its derelict interior into acne studios‘ newest retail space. the project occupies a building of historical relevance, being the site of the norrmalmstorg bank robbery and hostage crisis — an event which gave the world ‘stockholm syndrome.’ after the bank had closed, several interventions added a series of layers over the years, masking the original marble neoclassical architecture.

images by josé hevia

in the design of its acne studios intervention in stockholm, arquitectura-G cleans up cluttered interior, leaving a blank slate and expressing the original material palette. while the floors are finished in real marble tiling, many elements are build of imitation marble. the design team curates the interior to play with this duality. every surface is clad in a monochromatic skin, enhancing the shades of the original ekeberg marble.

arquitectura-G’s acne studios stockholm interior is organized across a layout of three interconnected rooms. these three zones are linked to each other through massive doric columns. at the end of the main axis of the retail space, the team introduces an abstract colonnade, creating a new backdrop. this false colonnade is built of real marble and lends access to the fitting rooms. marble furniture pieces by designer max lamb serve as podiums while simultaneously creating a new marble floor on top of the original. as a counterpoint to the archeological atmosphere, benoit lalloz-designed lighting scheme is technical and sharp.

project info:

project title: acne studios stockholm

architecture, interiors: arquitectura-G

location: stockholm, sweden

built area: 400 square meters

lighting design: benoit lalloz

furniture design: max lamb

completion: 2020

photography: josé hevia